Flexible microstrip patch antenna using rubber substrate for WBAN applications

Abstract

This paper introduces a flexible microstrip patch antenna using rubber as the substrate. The flexible antennas are gaining wide acceptance in the present scenario and these antennas play significant role in Wireless Body Area Network(WBAN) applications. The paper deals with the primary approach in using natural rubber and natural rubber with filler materials added as the substrate for patch antenna. The mechanical properties of the rubber makes the antenna flexible. The antenna operates in the ISM band(2.4-2.5) GHz. The ISM band is a candidate for WBAN operation.