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Abstract

This paper presents a flexible wearable multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna with low specific absorption rate (SAR) and high isolation based on artificial magnetic conductor (AMC), which is applied to wireless body area network (WBAN). The antenna consists of two orthogonal antenna elements, which are connected to the ground, and the size is 45 mm×22 mm×0.1 mm. By integrating a 4×5 square artificial magnetic conductor array on the back of the antenna, the gain of the antenna is improved, and the backward radiation of the antenna to the human body is reduced. Both antenna and AMC array are printed on 0.1 mm flexible substrate liquid crystal polymer (LCP). The results of measurement illustrate that the integrated antenna operates at 5.55 GHz-6.4 GHz (14.6%), and the port isolation is better than 20 dB. At 5.8 GHz, the measured antenna gain is 7.92 dBi, and the front-to-back ratio (FBR) is 17.5 dB. The analysis results of integrated antenna placement at different parts of the human body and bending measurement show that the SAR value is reduced by 99.4%, and the measured performance is good. The proposed MIMO antenna integrated with AMC can be safely applied in wearable applications.

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Dr. Ling Zhang

Professor Chengzhu Du

Dr. Hai-Feng Shu

Dr. Zhi-Hua Yue