Design of a 1x4 CPW Microstrip Antenna Array on PET Substrate for Biomedical Applications

TL;DR

This paper presents a low-cost, flexible 1x4 CPW microstrip antenna array on PET substrate, suitable for biomedical wearable and implantable applications, with promising simulated and measured performance at 2.68 GHz.

Contribution

It introduces a novel, cost-effective, transparent antenna array on PET for biomedical use, with fabrication using adhesive copper foil and validated performance.

Findings

Resonates at 2.68 GHz with 10 dBi gain

Fabricated prototype matches simulated results

Cost-efficient design suitable for wearable medical devices

Abstract

In this paper, a single layer Coplanar Waveguide-fed microstrip patch antenna array is presented for biomedical applications. The proposed antenna array is realized on a transparent and flexible Polyethylene Terephthalate substrate, has 1x4 radiating elements and measures only 280 x 192 mm2. The antenna array resonates at 2.68 GHz and has a peak-simulated gain of 10 dBi. A prototype is also fabricated, and the conductive patterns are drawn using cost-efficient adhesive copper foils instead of conventional copper or silver nanoparticle ink. The corresponding measured results agree well with the simulated results. The proposed low profile and cost-efficient transmit antenna array has the potential for wearable born-worn applications, including wireless powering of implantable medical devices.