Washable Stitched Transmission Line for Wearable Applications

Isaac Hyuk Daniel,Ibrahim Umar,Abdullahi Kassimu,Nicodemus Kure

doi:10.47514/phyaccess.2021.1.2.003

Isaac Hyuk Daniel, Ibrahim Umar + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.47514/phyaccess.2021.1.2.003

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Abstract

In this paper, the washability of a stitched transmission line is been studied. The aim is to determine the deterioration of the frequency dependence of the scattering parameters of the stitched transmission line after subjecting it to washing cycles using a domestic washing machine. The DC resistance of the stitched transmission line was measured before and after wash with results indicating an increase in the DC resistance from 16.9 Ω to 22.8 Ω after washing the stitched transmission line. The increase in DC resistance is due to the decrease in conductive path of the stitched transmission line as a result of the abrasion impacts in the washing machine leading to increased number of fissures and defects on the stitched transmission line. The propagation characteristics of the stitched transmission line were investigated using CST Microwave Studio Suite® and measurements on the stitched transmission line before and after wash was carried out using an Anritsu MS46524A 7GHz Network Analyser for a frequency range of 0.04 to 4 GHz, with results demonstrating that the stitched transmission line will make a good candidate for wearable applications.

Highlights

With the rapid growth and use of wearable devices over the last decade, the advantages of using portable wearable devices are been utilized for day to day activities
The washability of wearable devices, which refers to the ability of a wearable device to be washed without causing any damage to the wearable device has always been an interesting topic, and with washability been an important aspect of wearability, one is always quick to ask about the washability of these wearable devices and their performance after been washed
The purpose here is to determine the deterioration of the frequency dependence of the scattering parameters after exposing the stitched transmission line to washing cycles for frequencies up to 4GHz

Summary

INTRODUCTION

With the rapid growth and use of wearable devices over the last decade, the advantages of using portable wearable devices are been utilized for day to day activities. The washability of wearable devices, which refers to the ability of a wearable device to be washed without causing any damage to the wearable device has always been an interesting topic, and with washability been an important aspect of wearability, one is always quick to ask about the washability of these wearable devices and their performance after been washed. Chedid et al in [1] presented an experimental and modelling based study on the deterioration of per-unit-length parameters of conductive textile transmission line when subjected to washing cycles. The washability of the stitched transmission line proposed in [5] is been explored. The aim here is to determine the deterioration of the frequency dependence of the stitched transmission line after subjecting it to washing cycles for a frequency range of 0.04 to 4.

STITCHED TRANSMISSION LINE DESIGN AND FABRICATION

IMPACT OF WASHING

Visual Investigation of the Stitched Transmission Line

CONCLUSIONS