On-body antennas: Design considerations and challenges

This paper highlights the considerations and challenges when designing antennas suitable for on-body communication in Wireless Body Area Networks. Designing antennas that are required to operate in near body scenario make it more challenging for antenna designers as several important factors need to be taken into consideration along with the human body effects. These factors include antenna detuning, impedance matching, radiation pattern, Specific Absorption Rate, size, cost, weight, positioning, bending and stable performance with the variation of the gap between the antenna and the human body. An antenna addressing these challenges is suitable for on-body communication and wearable applications.