Impedance characteristics of body-worn electro-textile antenna under flat and bent positions

The evolution of antenna technology for man-machine interface has taken quantum leaps in utilizing textile materials as antenna substrates. In future this will allow complete freedom to develop body-worn antenna systems embedded in so-called “smart clothes”. Smart clothes (also called `electro-textiles”) will emerge in various sports outfits, emergency workers´ outfits, military, medical, space applications and so on. The ability to establish wireless broadband communication link is an essential requirement for smart clothes. In this paper, the impedance characteristics of a triangular microstrip patch antenna, made up of smart Flectron fabric and insulating polyester textile material, for such wireless broadband communication have been examined under flat and bent positions.