Double-Layer Embroidery Strategy for Fabrication of Textile Antennas with Improved Efficiency (original) (raw)

Effect of the fabrication parameters on the performance of embroidered antennas

IET Microwaves, Antennas & Propagation, 2013

Simulated and measured microstrip patch antennas produced using embroidery techniques have been presented. The antennas use a standard microwave substrate material. The effect of stitch direction and stitch density is described and a clear requirement to understand how the currents flow in an antenna, so that the stitch direction can be correctly chosen is shown. Two different simulation approaches for these antennas are discussed and one is linked to measurement results, pointing to a simplified model for simulating embroidered patch antennas.

Embroidered wearable antennas using conductive threads with different stitch spacings

2012 Loughborough Antennas & Propagation Conference (LAPC), 2012

This paper is focused on using conductive threads to design flexible antennas with textile features which means antennas can be embroidered directly into normal clothes. The fabric microstrip antennas are made from commercial conductive threads. The gain and efficiency of fabric antennas have been measured and compared with a reference copper patch antenna. Effects from different stitches geometries within the fabric antenna are discussed. The results demonstrate the feasibility of wearable antennas.

Considerations on Embroidered Textile Antennas for Wearable Applications

IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, 2013

Planar inverted-F antennas (PIFAs) made of woven conductive textiles and of patterns embroidered with conductive threads are investigated. The influence of conductive thread density on antenna properties is considered in both cases. The effect of lockstitch on antenna resonant frequency is quantified. A metallic button is proposed as the transition between textile antennas and classical circuits. A full-textile prototype of a PIFA is designed and shown to operate properly in the ISM 2.4 band.

Performance of Embroidered Higher-Order Mode Antennas with Different Stitching Patterns

In this paper the performance of TM21 resonance-mode circular patch antennas embroidered with different stitching patterns is discussed and compared. The goal is to investigate the difference in the performance when the antenna is embroidered with stitches following the antenna current paths as opposed to some simple patterns such as horizontal and vertical ones. This creates an alternative solution for embroidering prototypes of wearable antennas with complicated current distributions. The results reveal that by embroidering the antenna in line with the complex TM21 current distribution a good monopole-like radiation pattern is achieved, which is close to an etched copper prototype's used as the reference. However, with a dense horizontal stitching pattern an acceptable monopole-like radiation pattern can also be achieved with quite good gain and efficiency. While simplifying the embroidery process, the use of the simple horizontal pattern with high density suffers from high cross-polarization and thread consumption as compromises.

Embroidered dual band textile antenna for ISM band application on bending performance

ARPN journal of engineering and applied sciences, 2016

This research proposes a development of embroidered dual band textile antenna that could integrate wearable telecommunication device with a garment. The proposed antenna could operate at 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz of WLAN applications. Two versions of the presented antennas are developed from the conventional rectangular patch. Two types of slot structures are loaded on each antenna and the antenna performances are investigated. The research uses silver patted nylon and cotton wearable as conductive and nonconductive materials. Both antennas have successfully achieved reflection coefficient of less than -10dB at the targeted bands. Besides that, the antennas have directional pattern with a gain of more than 2.5dBi. Moreover, antenna performances on bending conditions of 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°, 70° and 80° have been carried out in simulation in terms of the reflection coefficient. The proposed antenna could be potential for closed point to point communication such as wireless power transfe...

Embroidery and Related Manufacturing Techniques for Wearable Antennas: Challenges and Opportunities

Electronics, 2014

This paper will review the evolution of wearable textile antennas over the last couple of decades. Particular emphasis will be given to the process of embroidery. This technique is advantageous for the following reasons: (i) bespoke or mass produced designs can be manufactured using digitized embroidery machines; (ii) glue is not required and (iii) the designs are aesthetic and are integrated into clothing rather than being attached to it. The embroidery technique will be compared to alternative manufacturing processes. The challenges facing the industrial and public acceptance of this technology will be assessed. Hence, the key opportunities will be highlighted.

Addressing the challenges of fabricating microwave antennas using conductive threads

2012 6th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EUCAP), 2012

This paper examines the advantages and challenges of creating microwave patch antennas using conducting threads. The antennas are produced using automated embroidery machinery that could be easily scaled up to mass manufacture. Textile patch antennas are designed that resonate between 2 and 2.7GHz depending on the substrate. Different stitch directions and compositions were considered. Measured gain and efficiency results are included in this paper.

A textile antenna based on high-performance fabrics

IET Seminar Digest, 2007

This paper reports a multilayer textile microstrip patch antenna for integration into protective clothing for professional workers since it is made out of a high performance aramid fabric. It is designed to operate in the 2.45 GHz Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band for short range communication to transmit vital signs, activity and environmental conditions to a nearby base station. Electrotextiles are used for the antenna patch and ground plane. Integration of the textile antenna into the protective clothing requires a finite ground plane and reliable operation in the vicinity of the body. Furthermore the patch may bend. A rectangular ring topology is proposed to preserve the antenna characteristics in real-life applications. This research paves the way for a new generation of protective clothing.

Embroidered Wire Dipole Antennas Using Novel Copper Yarns

IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, 2014

This letter presents a method of fabricating wearable antennas by embroidering novel fine copper yarn. In this work, fine copper wires are first twisted together to create a physically strong and yet flexible thread. A digital embroidery machine was used to create dipole antennas. The dc resistance of the antenna arms along with the return loss, radiation patterns, and efficiency of the antennas have been measured. The results are compared to embroidered dipoles using commercially available conductive threads and etched copper antennas.