Compact linear embroidered antenna research (CLEAR)

Abstract

This paper presents working prototypes of an embroidered, wearable antenna. The ‘Bratenna’ as the name suggests is designed to be embroidered into a bra. The basic theory behind the use of a curved dipole antenna is presented and elaborated in the form of the curved wires of a bra. A prototype antenna is embroidered and measured, and the measured results in free space and on the body are compared with simulated results. Sufficient bandwidth and impedance matching is found around the 2.4 GHz band. A commercial sensor has been modified to include the embroidered antenna and an increase in read range was achieved compared the conventional antenna.