A CONFORMAL EBG-INTEGRATED MICROSTRIP PATCH ANTENNA FOR ENHANCED PERFORMANCE AT 2.4 GHZ ISM BAND

Abstract

Modern wireless systems require antennas to be lightweight, flexible, safe to use close to human bodies, and capable of maintaining stable performance in bending conditions. This study suggests using a conformal microstrip patch antenna in the 2.4 GHz ISM band that is combined using an electromagnetic band gap structure. To provide for conformal functionality, the antenna is built on a polyester substrate. The EBG structure contributes to better impedance matching and radiation performance by decreasing surface wave effects. The antenna offers a gain of 8.73 dB, a return loss of −17.7 dB, and a SAR value of 0.2 W/kg. The behavior of the antenna during bending was also examined, and it was discovered that it maintains stable performance up to a bending angle of 7.5° with very minor variations. These results imply that the proposed architecture is suitable for Internet of Things, wearable technologies, WBAN, and short-range sensing.