Novel design of compact low-profile multi-band microstrip antennas for medical applications

Abstract

This paper proposes two novel compact designs of low-profile multi-band microstrip antennas. The first one can operate in ISM bands (2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz), which makes it suitable for Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) medical applications. On the other hand, the second design implements stacking of antenna such that the resulting novel design operates optimally at 3.5GHz and 7.5GHz, which makes it suitable for Ultra-Wide-Band (UWB) applications. The two antenna designs are compact in size, that is, the overall size of the first antenna is only 11.54 mm3, whereas the second is 25.16 mm3. The two antenna designs are simulated on skin radiation box, in order to allow more accurate prediction of the antenna performance when used in medical implantable devices. Apart from the compact size, both antenna designs produce a minimum Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) which complies with IEEE standard safety guidelines, which is necessary for protecting patients from electromagnetic damage.