Space and Pattern Diversity for On-Body Communication Channels in an Indoor Environment at 2.45 GHz

On-body communication channels are affected by short term fading effects. In this paper, the effect of space diversity reception for on-body communications has been investigated at a frequency of 2.45 GHz using one transmitting and two receiving narrow-band monopole antennas. An annular-slot-monopole combination (pattern diversity antenna) was also used at the receiving end. Measurements were taken in different environments, i.e. in an anechoic chamber, an office environment, and a laboratory. The diversity gains were calculated and the cumulative distribution functions (CDF) were plotted for five body channels. Significant improvement is observed in terms of diversity gain for the non-line-of-sight channels and channels involving large movements. Also, the diversity gains of monopole antennas were compared with those of the pattern diversity annular-slot-monopole antenna.