Antenna implementable into button for on-body communications at 61 GHz

In the paper, we describe the design and simulation of a button-like antenna for wireless body area network (WBAN) communication operating in the 61 GHz ISM frequency band. We developed a disc-like concept of an antenna. Instead of a direct connection between a circular disc and a feeding pin, the electromagnetic coupling is used. This concept enables us to obtain broadband characteristics with omnidirectional radiation pattern and polarization properties optimized for a body-centric communication. Impedance properties and radiation of the antenna were studied in free space and on a tissue-equivalent phantom representing the human body. The antenna was designed considering a single-layer technology and a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technology. We show that the antenna is matched from 59 GHz to 64 GHz. When simulated on a body, the antenna exhibited efficiency 60% and the maximum gain 8.8 dBi.