IEEE Sponsored 2nd International Conference on Innovations in Information,Embedded and Communication systems (ICIIECS)2015

A Hexagonal Monopole Textile Antenna for UWB

Applications
G.Krishnaveni B.Manimegalai B.Saravanya
Assistant Professor, Dept. of ECE Assistant Professor, Dept.of ECE PG student, Dept. of ECE
KLNCIT Thiagarajar College of Engineering KLNCIT
Sivagangai, Tamilnadu, India Madurai, Tamilnadu, India Sivagangai, Tamilnadu, India
krishvel6@gmail.com naveenmegaa@tce.edu saravanyavcet@gmail.com

Abstract— A compact and low profile microstrip fed wearable CPW to provide notch characteristics in UWB frequency
monopole antenna is proposed for UWB applications. Wearable range [7]. For WBAN application, a special modified
textile antenna uses hexagonal patch with slot as radiating monocone antenna is proposed which gives no detuning in the
element and blue jeans as substrate with relative permittivity presence of body [8]. Stepped slot is widely used to achieve
εr = 1.6, operates in 3.7 GHz to 10.7 GHz. Simulation is done
UWB with bore sight radiation characteristics [9]. In [10],
both in free space and near human body. The results show that it
provides bandwidth of 7 GHz and good impedance matching. textile antenna uses Shieldit super material as radiating
element and felt as dielectric with full ground plane. Jeans
Index Terms—Wearable, UWB, blue jeans, return loss, fabric has been chosen considering the thickness and the
impedance. elastic properties of the fabric in order to avoid any kind of
variation in dimensions due to material stretching and
I. INTRODUCTION compression [11]. To hide feeding of antenna, another layer of
jeans material is placed over it [12]. Truncated corners and
slots in patch with blue jeans substrate makes it to operate for
Recently, there has been growing interest in the
body centric WLAN and WiMAX applications [13]. In this
antenna community to merge between Ultra-Wideband
paper, a hexagonal-shaped wearable slot antenna is designed
(UWB) technology and textile technology. These together
for UWB applications. Hexagon patch provides greater
have resulted in demand for flexible fabric antennas, which
resonance when compared with other conventional patch
can be easily attached to a piece of clothing. In wireless
structure. The designed antenna is simulated in Ansoft HFSS
technologies, Ultra Wide Band (UWB) communication has
and various parameters such as return loss, VSWR, radiation
emerged a lot in recent years due to its advantageous
pattern has been extracted, which shows its applicability in
characteristics over conventional systems. UWB offers some
WBAN.
benefits which includes ability to share the frequency
spectrum, large channel capacity, ability to work with low II. ANTENNA DESIGN
signal-to-noise ratio, high battery life, reliable multipath
channels performance, high penetration quality [1]. These
Proposed antenna has dimension of about 34 × 28 × 1.6
unique features made it to avail for numerous applications
mm as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. Hexagonal patch is
which include high resolution radar, medical imaging,
designed to have width 25.18 mm and height 21.8 mm. The
positioning and tracking [2] .UWB technology is increased in
small hexagon with width 12mm and side length of 6 mm is
use as it transmits information over short pulses at a speed in
etched out from center part of the hexagon patch in order to
excess of 100 Mbps [3]. As per the rules of Federal
enhance UWB bandwidth. This novel textile antenna uses blue
Communication Commission (FCC), UWB signals lies in the
jeans as substrate material with relative permittivity εr = 1.6
frequency range of 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz with bandwidth
and loss tangent δ=0.04, operates in UWB frequency range
greater than 500 MHz or fractional bandwidth greater than
with directional radiation pattern. The front view of hexagonal
20% with maximum allowed power spectral density of -41.3
shaped antenna with is designed dimensions is shown in
dBm/MHz or 75 nanowatts/MHz [4]. Various techniques
Figure 2.
exists to achieve UWB which miniaturize the antenna size so
The height of the hexagon is calculated using equation 1 [14]
that it can be easily integrated in wireless communication
devices [5]. Techniques includes placing a single slot on the
patch, partial ground plane, fractals in patch, or using H = √3 Lp (1)
Artificial Magnetic Connector (AMC) achieves UWB easily,
The width of the hexagon is obtained from equation 2
leads to easy fabrication. Octagonal shaped UWB antenna
with etched Elliptical geometry from ground is also used to
Dp= 2Lp (2)
reduce RCS [6]. SRR can be loaded at the back side of the

978-1-4799-6818-3/15/$31.00 © 2015 IEEE

 IEEE Sponsored 2nd International Conference on Innovations in Information,Embedded and Communication systems (ICIIECS)2015

Where Lp denotes side length of hexagon

L =[(C/f0)/2]− 2ΔL (4)

Where ‘ΔL’ is extended length and is given in equation 5

ΔL = 0.412h [(εreff + 0.3)((W/h)+0.264)]/[(εreff −

0.258)((W/h)+0.8)] (5)

‘W’ denotes width of the patch and ‘h’ is height of the patch.

Usually the dimension of the slot is referred to guided

wavelength which is given in equation 6 [12]

λg = (C/f)/√εreff (6)

Where
εreff = [(εr +1)/2]+[(εr − 1)/2][1+12(h/W)]-1/2 (7)

Fig.1. Proposed antenna front view with dimensions

and it can approximate as follows

εreff ≈ (εr +1)/2 (8)

Where εreff is effective dielectric constant

By using above design equations, the proposed textile

antenna for UWB applications is designed and is presented in
Table I.

TABLE I ANTENNA DESIGN PARAMETERS

Parameter Value
Substrate length 34 mm
Substrate width 28 mm
Substrate thickness 1.6 mm
Ground length 8.5 mm
Feed length 7.9 mm
Slot length 6 mm
Slot width 12 mm
Fig.2. Proposed antenna back view with dimensions

The Hexagonal shaped patch dimensions can be calculated by
equating its area with dimensions of square monopole antenna
to obtain its side length. Equation 3 calculates the width of the
rectangular shaped patch [15]
W = C/2fo (√ (εr+1)/2) (3)
Where ‘C’ denotes speed of light, ‘fo’ is the resonating
frequency. Similarly length of the patch is calculated using
equation 4.
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The prototype of proposed textile monopole antenna is
simulated using Ansoft HFSS tool and parametric studies have
been carried out. The parameters such as Return Loss, VSWR,
and radiation pattern were extracted. The antenna is simulated
at both free space and near body to analyze its performance. A
single layer phantom model of dielectric constant, εr=31.8 and
conductivity σ = 7.33 with desired thickness of 2mm is placed
below the ground plane maintaining distance of 0.5 mm.
Figure 3 shows the simulated S-parameter of proposed antenna.
 IEEE Sponsored 2nd International Conference on Innovations in Information,Embedded and Communication systems (ICIIECS)2015

Fig.3. Simulated return loss of proposed antenna for free space and near human body

From Figure 3, it is observed that when the proposed textile
monopole antenna placed at free space operates at 3.77 GHz
to 9.96 GHz with resonant frequencies at 4.5 GHz and 8 GHz,
thus providing bandwidth 6.19 GHz. By placing antenna over
human phantom model, it enhances its bandwidth to 7 GHz,
operating at frequency range of 3.7 GHz to 10.7 GHz with
minimum return loss of -14.66 dB at 4.4 GHz. As shown in
advantageous characteristics. In addition, the signal intensity
are at sides of the antenna when phi=0°. Figure 6 shows the
polar plot of radiation pattern for other resonant frequency of
8 GHz both at E-plane and H-plane. When phi = 0°, the
antenna radiates heavily at the upright and downright
direction. On the other hand, the signal intensity is directed
towards the forward direction with minimum backward

Fig.4. Simulated VSWR of proposed antenna

Figure 4, VSWR of both free space and near human body lies
below 2 at resonating frequency. Simulated antenna radiation
patterns for both free space and near human body scenario has
been extracted and presented in Figure 5. It shows that
radiated pattern does not heavily influenced at the presence of
human phantom model. Proposed antenna exhibits
omnidirectional pattern at H-plane which is one of the major
radiation at phi = 90°. In near human body scenario, the
antenna provides minimum radiation when compared to
radiation at 4.5 GHz. The proposed textile antenna shows
good radiation characteristics. Antenna exhibits highest gain
of 13.5 dB at 7.5 GHz in free space and 12.1 dB in near
human body scenario which is obtained from 2D plot shown
in Figure 7. 3D radiation pattern with gain at frequency 7.5
 IEEE Sponsored 2nd International Conference on Innovations in Information,Embedded and Communication systems (ICIIECS)2015
GHz is shown in Figure 8. This shows that gain is affected by
1.4 dB at 7.5 GHz. The lowest gain is achieved at starting
operating frequency of 3.7 GHz.
[a]
[b]
Fig.5. Simulated Radiation pattern at 4.5 GHz [a] free space [b] near
human body
Gain of 0.5 dB is achieved in free space and 0.8 dB in
human body scenario at resonating frequency 4.5 GHz.
Therefore in contrast to gain achieved at 7.5 GHz frequency,
here the gain increases by 0.2 dB due to minimum return loss
at 4.5 GHz. The radiation efficiency of 95.4 % is achieved in
frequency 4.4 GHz when placed in free space. It provides total
rE field of 8.8 V when phi = 90° and theta = 0°. Placing near
the human body provides very low E-field of about 0.56 V at
phi = 90° and theta = 0°. At this scenario, radiation efficiency
of 90 % is achieved with 1.263 peak directivity.
Table II shows simulation results of proposed wearable textile
antenna. It can be observed bandwidth gets wider when placed
on human body while at the same time, the peak gain gets
reduced by 11.97 %.
[a]
[b]
Fig.6. Simulated Radiation Pattern for 8 GHz [a] Free space [b] Near
human body
The return loss also further reduced in on body scenario
leading to increased radiation efficiency. The radiation patterns
were also in desired direction rising to acceptable radiating
electric field. The results show that the characteristic of
antenna is acceptable for wearable systems and it provides
better performance at UWB band. Finally, this can be
implemented as a miniaturized wearable antenna for UWB
applications.
 IEEE Sponsored 2nd International Conference on Innovations in Information,Embedded and Communication systems (ICIIECS)2015

Fig.7. Simulated Gain plot of proposed antenna

TABLE II SIMULATION RESULTS OF PROPOSED WEARABLE TEXTILE
ANTENNA
Parameters In Near
Free space Human body
Operating Frequency 3.77 GHz - 3.7 GHz - 10.7
9.96 GHz GHz
Bandwidth 6.19 GHz 7 GHz
Resonant Frequency 4.5 GHz, 8GHz 4.5 GHz, 8 GHz
Return loss -13.92 dB -14.77 dB
Peak gain 13.56 dB 12.11 dB

IV. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE WORK

[a]
A miniaturized, ultra wideband hexagonal shaped wearable
monopole antenna is proposed. Flexible blue jeans material is
used as a substrate. Hexagonal slot at center of the patch plays
a major role in achieving wide bandwidth. Proposed antenna is
simulated in both at free space and near human body scenario.
It radiates in 3.7 GHz to 10.7 GHz, resonating at 4.5 GHz and
8 GHz, with minimum return loss of -14.77 dB when placed
on human body. This antenna provides good impedance
matching at 4.5 GHz frequency. Higher gain of 12.11 dBi is
achieved providing suitability for UWB applications. Its
prototype is simple and thus possessing a light weight and low
power consumption. In future, to minimize the return loss and
to enhance gain at resonant frequency, the fractal structure can
be incorporated which reduces RCS and increases electrical
length of an antenna. Also, since it is a wearable antenna, that
is to be mount on human textile garments, there is a chance for
[b]
antenna bending, absorbance of moisture, dryness etc. and
Fig.8. Simulated 3D Gain plot [a] free space [b] near human body those effects are currently under investigation.
 IEEE Sponsored 2nd International Conference on Innovations in Information,Embedded and Communication systems (ICIIECS)2015

V. REFERENCES AUTHOR PROFILE

G.Krishnaveni, Assistant Professor, ECE Department in

[1] Maria-Gabriella Di Benedetto, Thomas Kaiser , Andreas F. KLN College of Information technology. She obtained her
Molisch, Ian Oppermann, Christian Politano, and Domenico UG degree in the year 2006 and PG degree in 2010. She
Porcino, “UWB Communication Systems- A Comprehensive has 6 years of teaching experience and currently she is
review”, EURASIP Book Series on Signal Processing and pursuing Ph.D in RF Antennas from Anna University. She
Communications, Volume 5, Hindawi Publishing Corporation. is a life member of ISTE and IETE.
[2] Sana Ullah, Murad Ali, Md. Asdaque Hussain, and Kyung Sup
Kwak “Applications of UWB Technology”, June 2010.
[3] Yusnita Rahayu, Tharek Abd. Rahman, Razali Ngah, “Ultra Dr.B.Manimegalai, Assistant professor, ECE Department,
Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai. She obtained
Wideband Technology and Its Applications”, P.S. Hall, IEEE, her B.E degree from P.S.N.A. College of Engg. & Tech.
2008. Madurai Kamaraj University in the year 1990. She
[4] Ian Oppermann, Matti Hamala inen and Jari Iinatti, “UWB received her M.E degree from Alagappa Chettiar College of
Theory and Applications”, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2004. Engineering and Technology, Madurai Kamaraj University
[5] Yingsong Li, Wenxing Li, Qiubo Ye and Raj Mittra, “A Survey in the year 1993. In 2009, she received Ph.D degree in development of fractal
of Planar Ultra-Wideband Antenna Designs and Their antennas from Anna University. She has 21 years of teaching and research
Applications”, Forum for Electromagnetic Research Methods and experience. She has organized and attended seminars, lectures, conferences
Application Technologies (FERMAT). and workshops. Currently, she is a member of various societies includes
ISTE, IE, ATMS, IEEE.
[6] Dikmen.C.M, Cimen.S, Cakir.G, “Planar octagonal shaped UWB
antenna with reduced RCS”, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and
B.Saravanya, PG student, Department of Electronics and
Propagation, June 2014. Communication Engineering, KLN College of Information
[7] Siddiqui. J.Y, Saha.C,Antar.Y.M.M , “Compact SRR loaded Technology, Sivagangai , Tamilnadu, India. he obtained her
UWB circular monopole antenna with frequency notch BE from Velammal College of Engineering, Madurai,
characteristics”, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Tamilnadu, India in 2013. She has published several papers
Propagation, June 2014. in International conferences and Journals. Her area of
[8] Koohestani.M, Zurcher.E.F, Moreira.A.A, Skrivervik.A.K, “A interest includes RF Antenna Design and EMI/EMC.
novel, low profile, vertically polarized UWB antenna for
WBAN”, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation,2014.
[9] Raj Kumar, Rajas.K, R.V.S. Ram Krishna, “A horizontally
polarized rectangular stepped slot antenna for UWB with bore
sight radiation patterns”, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and
Propagation, July 2014.
[10] Purna B. Samal, Ping Jack Soh, Guy A. E. Vandenbosch, “UWB
all textile antenna with full ground plane for off body WBAN
communication”, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and
Propagation, Jan. 2014.
[11] Zheyu Wang, Lanlin Zhang, John L. Volakis, “Textile Antennas
for wearable radio frequency applications”, Textiles and Light
Industrial Science and Technology (TLIST) Volume 2 Issue 3,
July 2013.
[12] Rita Salvado , Caroline Loss, Ricardo Gonçalves and Pedro
Pinho, “Textile Materials for the design of Wearable Antennas”,
Journal of sensors,2012.
[13] S. Shahid, M. Rizwan, M. A. B. Abbasi, H. Zahra, S. M. Abbas,
M. A. Tarar, “ Textile antenna for body centric WiMAX and
WLAN applications”, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and
Propagation, 2012.
[14] Constantine A. Balanis, “Antenna Theory analysis and design”,
A John Wiley & Sons Publication, 2005.
[15]Thomas A. Milligan. A, “Modern Antenna Design”, John Wiley
& Sons Publication, IEEE press, 2005.