A compact wideband low‐profile all textile on/off body antenna for Satcom and defense applications

Summary A compact, flexible, low‐profile end‐fire broadband wearable antenna operating in Ku‐band /X‐band is proposed in this manuscript for defense and satellite communications (Satcom) applications. The main objective of this work is cross‐polarization reduction by the defected ground structure (DGS), which offers a wider bandwidth. Due to its flexibility and ability to absolutely conform to the curved‐shaped human body, denim fabric is used as a substrate, whereas copper tape is used as a conductor, which allows for the integration of the antenna into garments and makes it appropriate for a wide range of wearable applications in various bands. The prototype has been developed with a size of 20×20×0.5 mm3 for experimental validation. The measured results from a fabricated prototype are well matched with the simulated ones of the proposed design, which indicate a wide bandwidth of 57.35% (7.76–14 GHz) appropriate for use in applications such as defense operating from 8 to 12 GHz, satellite TV (11.7–12.2 GHz), Ku‐band downlink (10.95–11.7 GHz), Ku‐band uplink (11.7–14.5 GHz), and a high gain of 5.1 dBi. The specific absorption rate (SAR) is much below the permissible limit of 1.6 W/kg, with better radiation characteristics. Thus, the proposed antenna is more compact, and it clearly achieves a smaller footprint, larger impedance bandwidths, and a low SAR with potential prospect for Satcom and defense purposes. Proposed design of antenna operates in X‐band and Ku‐band. It is specially for defense and satellite communication. It is flexible and stable to withstand bending and stretching. SAR is in limit as per the US and EU standard, which makes it suitable as an on‐body antenna. Thus, it is capable of providing shielding from the adverse effects on the human body.