Research project BL/02/IN24 (Research action BL)
Wearable technologies are a fast-growing field in application-oriented research where integration of antenna system within the textile fabric is primarily used when implementing Body centric communication systems, typical in search and rescue operation scenarios. The vision of wearability requires advanced flexible electronic systems integrated within our clothing serving as intelligent personal assistants without restricting the user’s activities. Using such systems, gathering information related to timely identification and localization will help to find distressed persons in a disaster scenario.
Wearable antennas are most commonly designed and developed with microstrip topologies that are conformal to any shape and can be easily integrated within clothing or accessories such as buttons, belts, helmets, etc. At the same time, as a measure of antenna applicability to body-worn communication technologies, the amount of power absorbed by the human body and the risk to the human in the long run is also required to be investigated in terms of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) levels of the power radiated by the antenna when placed on or in close proximity to the body.
Methodology for development of advanced flexible on body communication system for maritime search and rescue operation.
1. The design starts by finalizing the specifications of communication system based on the targeted protocols.
2. Identification of suitable textile materials and study of their performance in varying environmental conditions.
3. Antenna with advanced inject technology will be designed on that textile material.
4. Subsequently, the effect of flexibility in textile material on antenna characteristics will be investigated.
5. Suitable amplifiers will be designed and integrated on the antenna platform, while co-optimizing the performance of the complete active antenna system.
6. The complete antenna system will be tested in a real time environment, verifying all antenna specifications relevant to the search and rescue protocol.
7. Simulation of the specific absorption rate generated from radiation of the wearable system in the human body
8. Energy harvesting functionality may be added to the antenna system by deploying solar cells on top of the antenna platform and adding a power management system on the antenna’s feed plane.
9. Investigation of potential integration of a satellite localization antenna will be investigated.
Workplan of experts exchange and networking activities:
1. Characterization of textile material under different environmental conditions.
2. Simulation of passive antenna system on textile material will be carried out and fabrication of designed antenna will be carried out either by laser patterning electrotextile fabrics or by implanting conducting wire on textile material.
3. Amplifiers (low noise / power amplifier) will be co-designed with the wearable antenna on the same platform.
4. Integration of the complete system into a life vest for a search and rescue application.
5. Co-designing the active antenna with energy harvesters (solar cells) and a power management system.
6. Final verification of the complete active antenna system in an anechoic chamber.
