Compact Optimized Antenna Solution for Radiation Coupling Improvement in the Subcutaneous Fat Layer

• Published in: 2023 17th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP) pp. 1 - 3
• Main Authors: Gaffoglio, Rossella, Giordanengo, Giorgio, Teodorani, Lucia, Righero, Marco, Adorisio, Giuseppe Musacchio, Mandal, Bappaditya, Perez, Mauricio David, Augustine, Robin, Vecchi, Giuseppe
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: European Association for Antennas and Propagation 26.03.2023
• Series: Proceedings of the European Conference on Antennas and Propagation
• Subjects: Antenna optimisation; compact antennas; Couplings; fat channel; fat intra-body communication (Fat-IBC); Layout; Metals; Microwave theory and techniques; Propagation losses; Robot sensing systems; tissue properties; Transmitting antennas
• ISBN: 9781665475419; 9788831299077; 8831299077; 1665475412
• DOI: 10.23919/EuCAP57121.2023.10133512

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.