Compact optimized antenna solution for radiation coupling improvement in the subcutaneous fat layer

Fat intra-body communication (Fat-IBC) aims at confining microwave propagation to the subcutaneous adipose tissue layer for the creation of a safe high-speed, high-bandwidth data transmission link through the body. This technique can be exploited to connect implantable medical devices and to implement a two-way transmission of recorded neural data and sensory stimulation signals between brain and robotic limbs. In this paper, a compact printed antenna solution for non-invasive tests of the Fat-IBC on non-human primates (NHPs) is proposed. This antenna is a printed monopole with a triangular radiating element embedded into a rigid brick, properly optimized to favor the radiation coupling in a 5mm-thick fat layer and minimize the signal propagation through the air. A promising wave coupling in the adipose tissue is achieved and a compact realizable layout is finalized for future prototyping and testing.