Flexible Antenna Design for Wearable IoT-Enabled
Devices
Gaurav Kumar Soni
Department of ECE
Manipal University Jaipur,
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
gksoni2709@gmail.com
Ashok Kumar
Department of ECE
Government Mahila Engineering College,
Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
kumarashoksaini@gmail.com
Abstract: The design of antennas for IoT-enabled wearables
represents a dynamic intersection of engineering, physics, and user
experience. These antennas serve as the gateways through which
wearable devices communicate with the digital world, enabling
data transmission, reception, and interaction. In wearable IoT-
enabled devices frequency bands covered were ISM 2.4-GHz
(2.41–2.484 GHz)/5-GHz channels, GPS (1.575 GHz), narrow
band in IoT (880–960MHz), GSM (850/900MHz) and the
frequency range of 5G bands n77/78/79 is 3.3–5 GHz. In this paper
presented an antenna design for 2.4 GHz band wearable IoT-
enabled devices. This is a widely used ISM band for wearable
devices, along with many wireless technologies. It spans from
2.400 GHz to 2.4835 GHz. The presented antenna is design using
Rogers RT5880 flexible subtract with dielectric constant 2.2 and
thickness is 20mil. The size of presented antenna is
55×65×0.508mm3. In this different analysis of antenna with human
tissue model is done for on and off body communication and also
shown the various bending effect of antenna.
Keywords: Wearable Antenna, Flexible, Wearable
Application, On Body, Off Body, ISM Band, IoT, WLAN,
WBAN.
I. INTRODUCTION
In the rapidly growth of technology and connectivity, the
Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a transformative
force, reshaping the way we interact with the world around
us. A key aspect of this transformation is the integration of
IoT capabilities into wearable devices, enabling seamless
communication, data exchange, and monitoring on the go.
As wearable IoT-enabled devices become increasingly
prevalent in our lives, the need for efficient and adaptable
communication systems is paramount. This has sparked a
rising of interest in the realm of antenna design, leading to
the development of flexible and wearable antenna solutions
tailored to the unique demands of wearable IoT devices [1-
3].
Traditional antenna design principles have often been
constrained by factors such as size, shape, and performance
limitations. However, the integration of antennas into
Dinesh Yadav
Department of ECE
Manipal University Jaipur,
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
dinesh.yadav@jaipur.manipal.edu
Lokesh Sharma
Department of IT
Manipal University Jaipur,
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
lokesh.sharma@jaipur.manipal.edu
wearable IoT devices introduces a new set of challenges and
opportunities. Flexible antenna design stands at the forefront
of innovation, addressing these challenges and unlocking
novel possibilities for communication, tracking, sensing,
and beyond [4-5].
This innovative approach to antenna design leverages
flexible and conformal materials, allowing antennas to be
seamlessly integrated into the contours of wearable devices
[6]. By adopting materials with diverse electromagnetic
properties, designers can optimize antenna performance
across a range of frequencies and form factors. This
adaptability is crucial in ensuring consistent and reliable
communication, even as wearable IoT devices continue to
shrink in size and increase in complexity [7-8].
Flexibility in antenna design empowers engineers to
overcome the constraints of space while preserving or
enhancing signal strength, efficiency, and radiation patterns
[9]. As wearable IoT devices are often subjected to varying
environments and body interactions, the ability to
dynamically adjust antenna characteristics becomes
indispensable [10]. From smart watches that monitor health
metrics to clothing that tracks movement, flexible antenna
design enables these devices to communicate effectively
while maintaining comfort and usability [11].
Moreover, the integration of flexible antennas into
wearable IoT devices fosters a synergy between technology
and fashion. Designers can collaborate to seamlessly embed
antennas into clothing, accessories, or even implantable
devices, creating a harmonious blend of aesthetics and
functionality [12]. This fusion not only enhances user
experience but also accelerates the adoption of wearable
IoT-enabled devices in diverse sectors, including healthcare,
sports, logistics, and entertainment [13].
In wearable IoT-enabled devices covered the various
frequency bands such as ISM and WLAN 2.4-GHz (2.41–
2.484 GHz)/5-GHz channels, GPS (1.575 GHz), narrow
 band in IoT (880–960MHz), GSM (850/900MHz) and the TABLE II. PARAMETERS USED IN PRESENTED HUMAN TISSUE MODEL
frequency range of 5G bands n77/78/79 is 3.3–5 GHz [2]. Parameters Value (mm) Description
In this paper presented an antenna design for 2.4 GHz X 150 Body Phantom Width
band wearable IoT-enabled devices. This is a widely used Y 130 Body Phantom Length
ISM band for wearable devices, along with many wireless
a 2 Skin Thickness
technologies. It spans from 2.400 GHz to 2.4835 GHz.
b 5 Fat Thickness
II. ANTENNA DESIGN & ITS PARAMETERS c 20 Muscle Thickness
The presented flexible antenna design for wearable IoT d 13 Bone Thickness
enabled devices is design using the Rogers RT5880 subtract
with dielectric constant 2.2, thickness is 0.508mm and TABLE III. PROPERTIES USED IN HUMAN TISSUE MODEL [14]
thermal conductivity 0.2W/K/m. The size of antenna is
55×65×0.508mm3. In fig 1 shown the presented flexible Human Relative Conductivity Mass Thickness
antenna design for wearable IoT enabled devices and the Tissue Permittivity σ (S/m) Density (mm)
used parameters to design this antenna is display in table 1. (ϵr) (Kg/m3 )
Skin 37.95 1.49 1001 2
Fat 5.27 0.11 900 5
Muscle 52.67 1.77 1006 20
Bone 18.49 0.82 1008 13

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A. Return Loss
The return loss of the presented patch antenna is analysis
for the on and off body application of wearable IoT enabled
devices. For on body analysis antenna is place on the human
tissue model with distance of 0mm and for off body analysis
places the antenna from the human tissue model at 5mm and
(a) Front View (b) Back View 10mm distance. In fig 3 shown that the presented antenna
Fig. 1. Presented flexible antenna design for wearable IoT enabled devices magnitude of return loss (|S11|) for on and off body
application of wearable IoT enabled devices. The presented
TABLE I. PARAMETERS OF PRESENTED ANTENNA DESIGN antenna magnitude of return loss for on body is -40.33dB,
for off body at distance of 5mm is -36.29dB and off body at
Parameters Values (mm)
distance of 10mm is -33.91dB.
Width of Subtract (X) 55
Length of Subtract (Y) 65
Length of patch (PL) 41
Width of patch (PW) 48
Feed Length 21.23
Feed Width 1.5
For wearable IoT enabled devices on and off body
analysis of the presented antenna is done on four layer
human tissue model that shown in the fig 2 and the
parameters used to design this four layer human tissue
model is represented in the table 2 and in table 3 represent
the properties of used human tissue model. In this four layer
human tissue model consist of the skin, bone, fat and
muscle.

Fig. 3. Magnitude of return loss (|S11|) of the presented antenna design for
on and off body application of wearable IoT enabled devices

B. Farfield Analysis
In fig 4 shown that the farfield gain of the presented
antenna design for on and off body application. The gain of
presented antenna for on body is 6.8dBi, for off body at
distance of 5mm is 7.1dBi and off body at distance of 10mm
Fig. 2. Four layer human body tissue model
is 7.24dBi.
 (a) (b) (c)
Fig. 4. Farfield of presented antenan for (a) On body (b) off body (with (a) Bend at 0o (b) Bend at 5o (c) Bend at 10o
distance = 5mm) (c) Off body (with distance = 10mm) Fig. 6. Bending effect of presented antenan at (a) 0o (b) 5o (c) 10o
C. Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
The SAR value can be determined through an equation
that correlates it with the electric field E and the material's
properties [6].
𝑆𝐴𝑅 = 𝜎|𝐸|2 /𝜌 (1)
3
Where, mass density of the tissue (kg/𝑚 ) is denoted by ρ
and conductivity of tissue (S/m) is denoted by σ.
The SAR(1g) and SAR(10g) value of presented antenna
for on body is 0.881kg/m3 and 0.309 kg/m3, for off body at
distance of 5mm is 0.229 kg/m3 and 0.0997 kg/m3 and off
body at distance of 10mm is 0.146 kg/m3 and 0.0726 kg/m3.
D. Surface Current
The surface current distribution of the presented antenna Fig. 7. Bending effect of preseneted antenan in terms of return loss
for 2.4 GHz band wearable IoT-enabled devices is display in
the fig 5. The surface current for on body is 90.0274A/m, TABLE IV. COMPRATATIVE ANALYSIS OF PRESENT WORK WITH RELATED
for off body at distance of 5mm is 88.9572A/m and off body WORK DONE BY DIFFERENT RESEARCHERS
at distance of 10mm is 88.9395A/m. Freque Reflection
SAR Gain Size
Ref No. ncy Coefficient
(Kg/m3) (dBi) (mm3)
(GHz) (dB)
2.4 -15 0.955 3.47 41×44
[15]
5.8 -29 0.478 5.13 ×1.52
20×40
[16] 2.45 -23 0.759 5.19
×2
2.45 -20 0.042 5.93 100×10
[17]
5.8 -18 0.09 6.33 0×2
40×10
[18] 2.4 -19.11 ---- 1.347
×1.6
(a) (b) (c) 2.45 -24.6 1.67 1.69 50×50
[19]
5.8 -23.9 1.12 4.12 ×0.076
Fig. 5. Surface current distrubation of presented antenan for (a) On body 81×81
(b) off body (with distance = 5mm) (c) Off body (with distance = [20] 2.45 -30 0.554 7.3
×4
10mm)
50×50
[21] 2.4 -15 0.29 5.2
×5.5
This 55×65
2.43 -40.33 0.309 6.8
E. Bending Effect Work ×0.508

In Fig 6 shown that the various bending of the presented

antenna structure with human tissue model at 0o, 5o and 10o.
From this on body bending analysis the return loss and
frequency of the antenna is very that is shown in the fig 7. In
fig 7 shown that the value of the return loss at 0o angle is -
40.33dB with frequency of 2.43GHz, at 5o angle is -32.64dB
with frequency of 2.92GHz and at 10o angle is -26.44dB
with frequency of 3.15GHz. The gain of the presented
antenna at 0o is 6.8dBi, at 5o is 7.49dBi and at 10o is 7.6dBi.
IV. CONCLUSION
The advent of wearable IoT-enabled devices has sparked
a revolution in antenna design, propelling the industry
toward flexible and wearable solutions. This innovation
transcends conventional limitations, enabling efficient and
reliable communication while seamlessly integrating with
the evolving landscape of fashion and design. As technology
continues to evolve and wearable IoT devices become more
ubiquitous, flexible antenna design will remain a
cornerstone of this transformative journey, driving us
toward a future where connectivity and convenience
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