Antenna Optimization for WBAN Based on Spherical Wave Functions De-Embedding

authored by: Lukas Berkelmann, Hendrik Jäschke, Leonardo Mörlein, Lukas Grundmann, Dirk Manteuffel
Abstract: Antennas for wireless body area networks (WBANs) need to be modeled with adapted methods because the coupling with the body tissue does not allow for a clear separation between antenna and channel. Especially for dynamically varying on-body channels due to changing body poses, e.g., with head-worn antennas, modeling is challenging and design goals for optimal antennas are difficult to determine. Therefore, in this article, the modeling of WBAN channels using spherical wave functions (SWFs) is utilized for antenna de-embedding and for deriving optimal antenna characteristics that maximize the transmission coefficient for the respective channel. It is evaluated how typical factors influencing WBAN channels (different body anatomies, body postures, and varying positions of the communication nodes) can be modeled statistically with SWF. An optimized antenna design is developed based on the derived optimization method, specifically adapted to the channel of on-body links with eye-wear applications. The results with the optimized antenna are compared to other standard antenna designs and validated against measurements.
Organisation(s): Institute of Microwave and Wireless Systems
Type: Article
Journal: IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation
Volume: 70
Pages: 11033-11044
No. of pages: 12
ISSN: 0018-926X
Publication date: 20.07.2022
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2111.01708 (Access: Open)
https://doi.org/10.1109/TAP.2022.3191199 (Access: Closed)
: Details in the research portal "Research@Leibniz University"

BibTeX

@article{19c856547e884fcc9367a93639560311,
title = "Antenna Optimization for WBAN Based on Spherical Wave Functions De-Embedding",
abstract = "Antennas for wireless body area networks (WBANs) need to be modeled with adapted methods because the coupling with the body tissue does not allow for a clear separation between antenna and channel. Especially for dynamically varying on-body channels due to changing body poses, e.g., with head-worn antennas, modeling is challenging and design goals for optimal antennas are difficult to determine. Therefore, in this article, the modeling of WBAN channels using spherical wave functions (SWFs) is utilized for antenna de-embedding and for deriving optimal antenna characteristics that maximize the transmission coefficient for the respective channel. It is evaluated how typical factors influencing WBAN channels (different body anatomies, body postures, and varying positions of the communication nodes) can be modeled statistically with SWF. An optimized antenna design is developed based on the derived optimization method, specifically adapted to the channel of on-body links with eye-wear applications. The results with the optimized antenna are compared to other standard antenna designs and validated against measurements.",
keywords = "Antenna measurements, Antenna radiation patterns, Antennas, Body area networks, Receiving antennas, Transmitting antennas, Wireless communication, antenna de-embedding, implanted antennas, on-body propagation, spherical wave function (SWF), wearable antennas, wireless body area networks, wireless body area networks (WBANs), Antenna de-embedding",
author = "Lukas Berkelmann and Hendrik J{\"a}schke and Leonardo M{\"o}rlein and Lukas Grundmann and Dirk Manteuffel",
note = "Funding Information: This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) under Grant MA4981/11-1.",
year = "2022",
month = jul,
day = "20",
doi = "10.48550/arXiv.2111.01708",
language = "English",
volume = "70",
pages = "11033--11044",
journal = "IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation",
issn = "0018-926X",
publisher = "Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.",
number = "11",
}