Journal of Textile Research ›› 2025, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (05): 10-16.doi: 10.13475/j.fzxb.20241204701

• Invited Column: Intelligent Fiber and Fabric Device • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Construction and electromagnetic properties of Wi-Fi dual-band fabric antenna

LI Duo1,2,3, XIE Xiaowen4, ZHANG Difan4, WU Jingxia1,2,3, LU Kai4, CHEN Peining1,2,3()   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
    2. Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
    3. Institute of Fiber Materials and Devices, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
    4. School of Electronics and Information Technology (School of Microelectronics), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
  • Received:2024-12-20 Revised:2025-02-03 Online:2025-05-15 Published:2025-06-18
  • Contact: CHEN Peining E-mail:peiningc@fudan.edu.cn

RichHTML

17

PDF (PC)

87

Abstract:

Objective Electronic fabrics hold significant potential applications in wearable devices and smart healthcare. Antenna, as a critical component for the emission and reception of electromagnetic waves, plays a pivotal role in enabling wireless signal transmission in future electronic textiles. In order to address these application requirements, it is essential to develop textile antennas which not only exhibit superior electromagnetic properties, such as wide bandwidth and high gain, but also maintain air permeability and comfort.
Method The microstrip slot fabric antenna structure was designed utilizing electromagnetic simulation software. Through the digital weaving method, the dual-band Wi-Fi fabric antenna was constructed by arranging silver-coated nylon fibers in a specific configuration on a cotton substrate. The electromagnetic performance of the Wi-Fi dual-band fabric antenna was evaluated and analyzed. Additionally, the stability and permeability of the fabric antenna were rigorously examined.
Results The dual-band Wi-Fi fabric antenna proposed was sufficient to cover the 2.4 GHz to 5.2 GHz working frequency bands of Wi-Fi. The measured and simulated results of dual-band Wi-Fi fabric antenna radiation pattern was basically consistent. Moreover, at the frequency of 2.4-5.2 GHz, the specific absorption rate of human tissue was simulated when the antenna was 5 mm away from human tissue. The maximum specific absorption rate of human tissue was 0.831 W/kg and 0.515 W/kg, respectively, lower than the standard value (1.6 W/kg), indicating that the designed antenna has good human safety. In order to verify the stability of dual-band Wi-Fi fabric antenna at bending deformation, the reflection coefficient curves of the antenna under different bending angles were studied. The results showed that the resonant frequency was slightly shifted, but the bandwidth of the antenna was wide enough to cover the Wi-Fi frequency between 2.4 GHz and 5.2 GHz, thus enabling stable working of the antenna. Furthermore, the wearing comfort of dual-band Wi-Fi fabric antenna was studied. The air permeability of the fabric antenna and the commercial cotton fabric with the same thickness were found to be in the same order of magnitude, which indicates that the air permeability of dual-band Wi-Fi fabric antenna can meet the comfort requirements of human body in the daily wearing process.
Conclusion Electromagnetic simulation software is adopted to simulate the structure of dual-band Wi-Fi fabric antenna, and the dual-band Wi-Fi fabric antenna was prepared from silver-coated nylon fibers and cotton fabric through the digital weaving. The performance test of dual-band Wi-Fi fabric antenna proves that the antenna can work effectively in the Wi-Fi dual-band of 2.45 GHz and 5.2 GHz. The fabric antenna can still maintain stable electromagnetic performance when bent, and has good air permeability and human safety. This research has shown great application potential in the field of electronic fabric, which provides a new solution for the wireless communication function of electronic fabric.

Key words: slot fabric antenna, electronic fabric, smart wearable, embroidery, electromagnetic property, telecommunication

CLC Number: 

  • TN101.8

Fig.1

Structure schematic diagram of Wi-Fi dual-band fabric antenna"

Fig.2

Schematic diagram of evolution process of dual-band fabric antenna structure"

Fig.3

Dimensions of dual-band fabric antenna"

Fig.4

Simulated results of specific absorption rate distribution of proposed antenna"

Tab.1

Electromagnetic properties parameters of human tissues"

人体组织 介电常数 电导率/(S·m-1) 密度/(kg·m-3)
皮肤 35.11 3.72 1 100
脂肪 4.95 0.29 910
肌肉 48.48 4.96 1 041

Fig.5

Front (a) and back (b) detailed images of Wi-Fi dual-band fabric antenna"

Fig.6

Measured and simulated reflection coefficients of Wi-Fi dual-band fabric antenna"

Fig.7

Measured and simulated gains of Wi-Fi dual-band fabric antenna"

Fig.8

Measured and simulated radiation patterns of Wi-Fi dual-band fabric antenna"

Fig.9

Reflection coefficients of Wi-Fi dual-band fabric antenna when bent. (a) In X direction. (b) In Y direction"

Fig.10

Reflection coefficients of Wi-Fi dual-band fabric antenna before and after rubbing"

Fig.11

Reflection coefficients of Wi-Fi dual-band fabric antenna before and after washing"

[1] YANG Weifeng, LIN Shaomei, GONG Wei, et al. Single body-coupled fiber enables chipless textile electronics[J]. Science, 2024, 384(6691): 74-81.
doi: 10.1126/science.adk3755 pmid: 38574120
[2] YU He, ZHANG Shiliang, LIAN Yunlu, et al. Electronic textile with passive thermal management for outdoor health monitoring[J]. Advanced Fiber Materials, 2024, 6(4): 1241-1252.
[3] SHI Xiang, ZUO Yong, ZHAI Peng, et al. Large-area display textiles integrated with functional systems[J]. Nature, 2021, 591(7849): 240-245.
[4] ALI Usman, ULLAH Sadiq, KAMAL Babar, et al. Design, analysis and applications of wearable antennas: a review[J]. IEEE Access, 2023, 11: 14458-14486.
[5] AHMAD Ashfaq, FAISAL Farooq, ULLAH Sadiq, et al. Design and SAR analysis of a dual band wearable antenna for WLAN applications[J]. Applied Sciences, 2022, 12(18):9218-9238.
[6] SALLEH Shakhirul Mat, AIN Mohd Fadzil, AHMAD Zulkifli, et al. Stretchable and bendable poly-dimethylsiloxane-silver composite antenna on PDMS/air gap substrate for 5G wearable appli-cations[J]. IEEE Access, 2023, 11: 133623-133639.
[7] SOMASUNDARAM Arulmurugan, TR Suresh Kumar, SIDÉN Johan, et al. Wearable dual-band dual-polarized screen-printed fabric antenna enabled with electromagnetic bandgap structure for ISM and WLAN communications[J]. International Journal of Communication Systems, 2024, 6001: 1099-1114.
[8] LIN Rongzhou, KIM Han Joon, ACHAVANANTHADITH Sippanat, et al. Digitally-embroidered liquid metal electronic textiles for wearable wireless systems[J]. Nature Communications, 2022, 13(1): 2190-2200.
doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-29859-4 pmid: 35449159
[9] ALONSO González Leticia, VER Hoeye Samuel, FERNÁNDEZ García Miguel, et al. Fully textile-integrated microstrip-fed slot antenna for dedicated short-range communications[J]. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 2018, 66(5): 2262-2270.
[10] ALONSO-GONZALEZ Leticia, VER-HOEYE Samuel, FERNANDEZ-GARCIA Miguel, et al. On the development of a novel mixed embroidered-woven slot antenna for wireless applications[J]. IEEE Access, 2019, 7: 9476-9489.
[11] SAMAL Purna B, CHEN Shengjian Jammy, FUMEAUX Christophe. Wearable textile multiband antenna for WBAN applications[J]. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 2023, 71(2): 1391-1402.
[12] 杨文博, 卢玉斌. 基于基片集成波导的双频缝隙天线设计[J]. 激光与光电子学进展, 2024, 62(9):1690-1700.
YANG Wenbo, LU Yubin. Design of dual-frequency slot antenna based on chip-integrated waveguide[J]. Progress in Laser and Electro-Optics, 2024, 62(9):1690-1700.
[13] SALLAM Mai O, KANDIL Sara M, VOLSKI Vladimir, et al. Wideband CPW-fed flexible bow-tie slot antenna for WLAN/WiMax systems[J]. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 2017, 65(8): 4274-4277.
[14] GAO Guoping, YANG Chen, HU Bin, et al. A wearable PIFA with an all-textile metasurface for 5 GHz WBAN applications[J]. IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, 2019, 18(2):288-292.
doi: 10.1109/LAWP.2018.2889117
[15] ZHAI Huiqing, MA Zhihui, HAN Yu, et al. A compact printed antenna for triple-band WLAN/WiMAX applications[J]. IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, 2013, 12: 65-68.
[16] ASHYAP Adel, RAAD Raad, TUBBAL Faisel, et al. Highly bendable AMC-based antenna for wearable applications[J]. IEEE Access, 2024, 12: 154195-154211.
[17] MEMON Abdul Wahab, DE PAULA Igor Lima, MALENGIER Benny, et al. Breathable textile rectangular ring microstrip patch antenna at 2.45 GHz for wearable applications[J]. Sensors, 2021, 21(5):3996-4019.
[1] JIANG Yalong, LI Gege, XUE Lu, CHENG Yu, YANG Yingkui. Research progress of electrode and device fabrication of textile lithium batteries [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2025, 46(05): 77-88.
[2] YAN Yi, ZHU Dahui. Progress and trends in application of smart clothing for elderly population [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2025, 46(04): 244-254.
[3] SHE Yemei, PENG Yangyang, WANG Fameng, PAN Ruru. Preparation and performance of flexible pressure sensor based on warp knitted spacer fabric [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2025, 46(03): 158-166.
[4] LUO Mengying, CHEN Huijun, XIA Ming, WANG Dong, LI Mufang. Preparation of elastic conductive composite fiber and its stain and temperature sensing properties [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2024, 45(10): 9-15.
[5] LU Tong, TANG Hong, ZHAO Min. Design and performance analysis of embroidered electrocardiogram electrode [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2024, 45(09): 70-77.
[6] WANG Yujia, WANG Yi, WANG Yasi, DAI Fangyin, LI Zhi. Preparation and sensing performance of flexible pressure sensor based on natural flat silk cocoon structure [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2024, 45(09): 10-17.
[7] WANG Jianping, SHAO Yimeng, YANG Yalan, HE Yuanxi. Influences of stitch types on performance of embroidered fabric electrodes for surface electromyography [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2024, 45(07): 55-62.
[8] SHI Chu, LI Jun, WANG Yunyi. Research progress on smart footwear for monitoring temperature in diabetic foot [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2024, 45(07): 240-247.
[9] LIU Huanhuan, MENG Hu, WANG Zhaohui. Progress and trends in application of wearable technology for elderly population [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2024, 45(03): 236-243.
[10] CHEN Lu, SHI Bao, WEI Sainan, JIA Lixia, YAN Ruosi. Energy storage performance of three-dimensional integrated knitted supercapacitor [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2024, 45(02): 126-133.
[11] JIA Liping, LI Ming, LI Weilong, RAN Jianhua, BI Shuguang, LI Shiwei. Strain-sensing and electrothermal difunctional core-spun yarn based on long silver nanowires [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2023, 44(10): 113-119.
[12] YAO Linhan, ZHANG Ying, YAO Lan, ZHENG Xiaoping, WEI Wenda, LIU Chengxia. Embroidery style transfer modeling based on multi-scale texture synthesis [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2023, 44(09): 84-90.
[13] LI Long, ZHANG Xian, WU Lei. Research progress in preparation and application of conductive yarn materials [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2023, 44(07): 214-221.
[14] LI Ganghua, WANG Hang, SHI Baohui, QU Lijun, TIAN Mingwei. Construction of flexible electronic fabric and its pressure sensing performance [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2023, 44(02): 96-102.
[15] LIU Huanhuan, WANG Zhaohui, YE Qinwen, CHEN Ziwei, ZHENG Jingjin. Progress and trends in application of wearable technology for emotion recognition [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2022, 43(08): 197-205.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited
  Shared   
  Discussed   
No Suggested Reading articles found!
京ICP备14006648号
Copyright 2021 © Editorial office of Journal of Textile Research
Supported by Beijing Magtech Co.Ltd