A Dual-Band Wearable Antenna for X and Ku Frequency Bands for Satellite Communication Applications.

Abstract

In the present research, a novel 3 cut-pentagon dual-band antenna design has been introduced, and its attributes and performance are enhanced through the use of a specialized substrate called \"Jeans\" with a permittivity of 1.7. The conducting element employed is copper tape. The design and study of a dual-band wearable antenna optimized for X and Ku frequency bands, specifically tailored for satellite communications applications. The antenna is engineered to offer reliable and efficient performance within the X-band (6.31 GHz) and Ku-band (8.07 GHz) and extended resonant frequency 12.118GHz facilitating seamless connectivity in satellite communication networks. The board size is 43x25.5 mm^2. The Bandwidth for the first band of the suggested antenna is 37.58% for the frequency range between 5.87 GHz. To 8.587 GHz and the bandwidth for the second band is 12.85% for the frequency range 11.447 GHz to 13.02 GHz. The dual-band wearable antenna, which operates in two frequency bands, is created and simulated using CST software. The antenna\'s dual-band capability makes it appropriate for a broad variety of satellite communication uses, including data transmission, global positioning, and remote sensing. The design\'s compact form factor and flexibility ensure seamless integration into wearable devices, allowing users to stay connected to satellite communication networks while maintaining comfort and mobility. The resonant frequencies in X and Ku bands make this antenna an excellent choice for wearable technology that requires high-data-rate communication and connectivity with satellite systems. The presented antenna design showcases its potential for enhancing satellite communication capabilities in wearable devices for various applications, including healthcare, remote sensing, and outdoor navigation.

Introduction

I. INTRODUCTION

The fourth generation (4G) of mobile communication systems now includes Body Centric Wireless Communication (BCWC), which has recently grown in importance. The highly anticipated 5G technology not only addresses the need for high data rates in mobile phones and associated devices but also promises seamless integration with a wide array of high-value services [1]. The market for wearable technology is anticipated to rise from around $27 billion in 2019 to $64 billion in 2024, as per the report published by Global Data. The COVID-19 pandemic has enhanced health characteristics and knowledge, notably in areas like patient monitoring, predicting symptoms, and recording disease contact according to Global Data. This is what is mostly responsible for the expected benefit. At Global Data, senior medical devices analyst Tina Deng claims that "the pandemic substantially enhanced awareness of wearable devices as their use cases increased." Device innovation has exploded as more companies try to come up with creative methods to profit from the situation and help stop the virus' spread. Typically, individual antennas have been designed to operate at specific frequencies. However, The swift advancement of contemporary wireless communication systems and their wide-ranging use has created a demand for wider bandwidths, necessitating the use of multiple antennas for various purposes. On the other hand, an increasing demand exists for wireless devices that are small in size, lightweight, visually appealing, and versatile in functionality. In modern radar as well as space satellite communication uses, microstrip patch antennas are highly sought after because of their qualities, including their slim profile, robust mechanical design, compatibility with MMIC (Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit) configurations, compact and lightweight characteristics, and the capacity to function at two different frequencies  Microstrip patch antennas are an economical choice for production and can adapt to both flat and curved surfaces. However, they do come with specific limitations and drawbacks [2-3]. To address these shortcomings, researchers have explored a wide array of techniques, including microstrip patch antennas on electrically thick substrates, slotted patch antennas, probe feed stack antennas, and the utilization of multiple resonators [4-11]. Presently, there is a growing demand for broader bandwidth to satisfy the rising needs of modern wireless communication system applications.

Typically, individual antennas are optimized for specific frequencies, necessitating a variety of antennas for different purposes, which can result in spatial constraints and issues such as reduced efficiency, undesired feed radiation, limited frequency coverage, and increased cross-polarization radiation.

To work with a variety of communication systems and applications, dual-band antennas [12–14] are specifically made to function at 2 different frequency bands. These antennas respond to the growing need for wireless communication systems that need to be able to operate across several frequency bands. Dual-band antenna design and optimization present particular difficulties and opportunities that need careful study of antenna geometry, feeding procedures, and radiation patterns. [15,16]. The antenna of the future is thought to be a microstrip antenna. Nowadays, all traditional antennas are produced in microstrip form. The advantages of microstrip antennas include their small weight and portability. The construction of microstrip antennas will be based on a dielectric substance referred to as "Substrate." Another crucial element is the substrate's height.

The substrate material’s dielectric constant and its height are utilized to design a microstrip antenna at a fixed resonant frequency. FR4, Rogers, Duroid, etc. are examples of materials that are utilized as substrates. Substrates like leather, denim, cotton, and tiny strip antenna could be designed and created. Textile or wearable antennas are the titles provided for these devices. These substrates can be used as clothing because they are made of cloth. Carrying the wearable antenna is simpler. This study designs and simulates a dual-band wearable antenna with a rectangular shape. Two rectangular shapes that are joined together by 'arms' are needed for the dual band. The number of arms and their breadth are altered, and the consequences on the antenna's properties are investigated [17].

In this research, the focus is on designing and improving a dual-band wearable antenna for satellite communication applications. This antenna is made of a special substrate called "Jeans" with a permittivity of 1.7, and the conductive element used is copper tape.

The goal of this antenna design is to operate efficiently in 2 specific frequency bands: the X-band at 6.31 GHz and the Ku-band at 8.07 GHz. Additionally, it has an extended resonant frequency of 12.118 GHz, which makes it suitable for use in satellite communication networks. The antenna board’s physical size is 43x25.5 mm^2. The antenna's first band has a bandwidth of 37.58%, covering a frequency range between 5.87 and 8.587 GHz. The second band has a bandwidth of 12.85%, spanning from 11.447 GHz to 13.02 GHz. This dual-band wearable antenna was designed and simulated with CST software. Essentially, it's a compact and efficient antenna that can provide a reliable connection in both X and Ku frequency bands, making it well-suited for satellite communication applications.

II. WEARABLE ANTENNA

A wearable antenna is a type of antenna designed to be integrated into clothing, accessories, or other items that can be worn on the body. These antennas are typically used for wireless communication, such as for connecting to cell phone networks, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other wireless devices. Wearable antennas are commonly used in applications such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, smart clothing, and other wearable technology. Fig. 1 illustrates the usual uses of wearable antennae it displays the flow chart for the different wearable antenna devices.

X-band (8-12) GHz as well as Ku-band (12-18) GHz frequencies are commonly utilized in satellite communication for various applications due to their specific characteristics. Here are some typical applications for each frequency band:

A. Ku-band (12-18 GHz)

1. Direct-to-Home (DTH) Satellite TV: Ku-band is widely used for broadcasting television signals to consumers' satellite dishes.
2. VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) Communication: Ku-band is employed for two-way data communication, including internet access, in remote areas.
3. Satellite News Gathering (SNG): Journalists and broadcasters often use Ku-band to transmit live video and audio feeds from remote locations.
4. Military Communications: Some military communications and surveillance systems utilize Ku-band frequencies.
5. Commercial Satellite Services: Many commercial satellite services, such as broadband internet and telecommunication networks, operate in the Ku-band.

B. X-band (8-12 GHz)

1. Military and Defence Communications: The X-band is commonly used for secure military communication and radar systems due to its resistance to interference and high data throughput.
2. Weather Radar: X-band radar is used for weather monitoring, including tracking precipitation, cloud movement, and severe weather patterns.
3. Satellite Earth Observation: X-band frequencies are suitable for high-resolution remote sensing applications, including earth observation, environmental monitoring, and disaster management.
4. Deep Space Communications: The X-band is used for communication with deep space probes and missions to planets and celestial bodies in our solar system.
5. Aerospace and Aviation: X-band is employed in aviation radar systems, including weather radar on aircraft and ground-based radar for air traffic control.

VII. FUTURE SCOPE

The design considerations incorporated into this dual-band wearable antenna have made it a versatile and practical solution for many satellite communication applications. Its compact form factor, flexible substrate, and dual-band functionality allow seamless integration into wearable devices while maintaining wearer comfort and mobility.

The improved bandwidths achieved in this design are significant, as they directly contribute to the antenna's efficiency and reliability in satellite communication networks. This expanded bandwidth ensures that the antenna can support various communication protocols, data transmission rates, and satellite services, making it a valuable asset for users across different sectors.

Furthermore, the dual-band capability, which includes an extended frequency of 12.118 GHz, positions this wearable antenna for even more diverse satellite communication applications, including emerging technologies and services that demand connectivity in higher frequency bands. In the future, this design has the potential to undergo fabrication and testing using a human phantom to assess its Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) and its impact on the human body. This evaluation will enable its utilization in wearable applications and various other use cases. Furthermore, the design can be extended to enable data exchange among diverse devices through cloud networks, facilitating satellite connectivity for purposes like tracking, navigation, data retrieval, and communication.

Conclusion

This study proposes a tri-band microstrip antenna with Dual band frequencies operating in 6.31 GHz, 8.07 GHz, and 12.118 GHz. this research has presented a dual-band wearable antenna designed for X and Ku frequency bands, with an extended tri-band capability operating at 6.31 GHz, 8.07 GHz, and 12.118 GHz. The antenna\'s performance enhancements include significantly improved bandwidths at 37.58% and 12.85%, crucial for reliable and high-data-rate satellite communications.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2024 Ayushi Vinodia, Kanchan Cecil. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.