You are on page 1of 11

micromachines

Article
A Miniaturized Circularly-Polarized Antenna for
In-Body Wireless Communications
Yi Fan 1 , Xiongying Liu 2, * , Jiming Li 2 and Tianhai Chang 2
1 School of Electronics and Information, Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University, Guangzhou 510665,
China; hnanfy@163.com
2 School of Electronic and Information Engineering, South China University of Technology,
Guangzhou 510641, China; hnanlxy@163.com (J.L.); thchang@scut.edu.cn (T.C.)
* Correspondence: liuxy@scut.edu.cn; Tel.: +86-20-8711-1435

Received: 5 December 2018; Accepted: 16 January 2019; Published: 19 January 2019 

Abstract: A novel miniaturized single-fed circularly-polarized (CP) microstrip patch antenna


operating in the Industrial, Scientific, Medical (ISM) band of 2.40–2.48 GHz, is comprehensively
proposed for implantable wireless communications. By employing reactive loading in the
arrow-shaped slotted patch to form slow wave effect and embedding V-shaped slots into patch
to lengthen the current path, the proposed implantable antenna is minimized with the overall
dimensions of 9.2 mm × 9.2 mm × 1.27 mm. The radiation patterns of the proposed antenna illustrate
the performance of left-handed circular polarization. The simulated results show that an impedance
bandwidth of 7.2% (2.39–2.57 GHz) and an axial ratio bandwidth of 3.7% (2.39–2.48 GHz) at the
ISM band are achieved, respectively. Ex vivo measured results are in good agreement with the
corresponding simulated ones.

Keywords: circular polarization; implantable antenna; reactive loading; slow wave effect

1. Introduction
Implantable medical devices (IMDs) have increasingly caught the attention of the scientific
community due to their wireless capabilities of detecting bio-medical information and transmitting
health data much more flexibly and conveniently than traditional wired sensors placed exterior to
the body [1–3]. These devices have been widely adopted in many applications including neural
recording [4], glucose monitoring [5], and intracranial pressure monitoring [6], etc.
Implantable antennas act as a key factor to assure wireless communications between the
implantable devices and the external equipment [7], and have been assigned at the industrial,
scientific, and medical (ISM) bands with the operating frequency ranges of 433.1–434.8 MHz [8,9],
902–928 MHz [10], and 2.40–2.48 GHz [11,12]. Additionally, the 402–405 MHz medical implant
communication services (MICS) band [13] and the 1395–1400 MHz wireless medical telemetry services
(WMTS) band [14] are also designated for the implantable antennas. Implantable devices used for
the biomedical telemetry are typical microsystem and therefore cannot accommodate large antennas.
Due to the relatively short electromagnetic wavelength, the implantable antenna working at the ISM
higher frequency band of 2.40–2.48 GHz is adopted by some researchers, making the dimension
electrically small enough. Moreover, considerable design efforts, such as employing high-permittivity
dielectric substrates [15], loading shorting pins to connect the patch and the ground [16], and extending
the current flow path on the patch surface [17], have been made to realize the compact dimension
of the implantable antennas. Many crucial factors such as biocompatibility, specific absorption rate
(SAR), far-field radiation, and operating bandwidth, should be also considered during the designing
of implantable antennas.

Micromachines 2019, 10, 70; doi:10.3390/mi10010070 www.mdpi.com/journal/micromachines


Micromachines 2019, 10, 70 2 of 11

The planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) was demonstrated as a useful prototype in the design of
implantable antennas because of its structural simplicity and low profile [18]. The monopole antenna
with the advantages of omnidirectional radiation pattern and wide bandwidth has been integrated
with theMicromachines
implantable 2019,system
10 [19]. In [20], a differentially-fed dual-band flexible antenna was proposed 2
for ingestible capsule system. Nevertheless, the above-mentioned antennas are linearly polarized and
dependent on Thethe
planar inverted-F
relative antenna (PIFA)
orientations between wasthe
demonstrated
transmitters as aand
usefultheprototype
externalinreceivers.
the design of
implantable antennas because of its structural simplicity and low profile [18]. The monopole antenna
A circularly-polarized (CP) antenna is preferred for the implantable devices because it can
with the advantages of omnidirectional radiation pattern and wide bandwidth has been integrated
reduce multipath distortion system
with the implantable and provide
[19]. Inflexible
[20], a mobility, compared
differentially-fed with a linearly
dual-band polarized
flexible antenna wasantenna.
However, only afor
proposed fewingestible
works focuscapsule onsystem.
the miniaturized
Nevertheless,CP theimplantable
above-mentioned antennas.
antennas Capacitive
are linearlyloadings
were introduced
polarized andin adependent
square patch on the with a central
relative squared
orientations slot to
between therealize circular
transmitters andpolarization
the external for an
receivers.
implantable antenna [21]. An axial-mode multilayer helical circularly-polarized implantable antenna
for ingestible A capsule
circularly-polarized
endoscope (CP) antenna
system wasis presented
preferred for
in the
[22].implantable devices
Additionally, bybecause
cuttingitrectangular
can
reduce multipath distortion and provide flexible mobility, compared with a linearly polarized
slots into the patch and adding open stubs in the annular ring, a CP bio-friendly implantable annular
antenna. However, only a few works focus on the miniaturized CP implantable antennas. Capacitive
ring antenna
loadingswaswere
realized in [23].in a square patch with a central squared slot to realize circular
introduced
A polarization
miniaturized CP squared antenna
for an implantable patch [21].
antenna for implantable
An axial-mode devices
multilayer helical at the ISM band of
circularly-polarized
implantable antenna for ingestible capsule endoscope system was
2.40–2.48 GHz was preliminarily introduced in [24]. After that, future works have been presented in [22]. Additionally, by carried
cutting rectangular slots into the patch and adding open stubs in the annular
out. In this article, an in-depth study on the working principle and a more detailed analysis on the ring, a CP bio-friendly
implantable annular ring antenna was realized in [23].
performance of the proposed antenna are presented while a proof-of-concept fabricated prototype
A miniaturized CP squared patch antenna for implantable devices at the ISM band of 2.40–2.48
was fully characterized, verifying the good performance of the proposed antenna topology. Through
GHz was preliminarily introduced in [24]. After that, future works have been carried out. In this
introducing reactive
article, loading,
an in-depth study slow
on thewave
workingeffect is formed
principle and a on
more thedetailed
radiator, making
analysis on thetheperformance
dimension of the
proposed of antenna
the proposed compact.
antenna are presented while a proof-of-concept fabricated prototype was fully
Thecharacterized,
contents of verifying
this article thearegood performance
organized of the proposed
as follows: In Sectionantenna topology. environment
2, a simulation Through is
introducing reactive loading, slow wave effect is formed on the radiator,
set up, the geometry of the proposed implantable antenna is described, and the simulation making the dimension of results
the proposed antenna compact.
are studied. In Section 3, the miniaturization of working mechanism, CP properties, and parameter
The contents of this article are organized as follows: In Section 2, a simulation environment is
analysissetare
up,given. Section
the geometry of 4
thepresents
proposedthe measured
implantable results
antenna before a and
is described, useful conclusion
the simulation is made in
results
Section are
5. studied. In Section 3, the miniaturization of working mechanism, CP properties, and parameter
analysis are given. Section 4 presents the measured results before a useful conclusion is made in
2. Antenna Design
Section 5. and Simulation

2.1. Simulation Environment


2. Antenna Design and Simulation

As2.1.
shown in Figure
Simulation 1, the proposed antenna is simulated in a three-layer tissue numerical
Environment
model withAs theshown
dimensions of 50 mm × 50 mm × 58 mm that imitates the real human environment.
in Figure 1, the proposed antenna is simulated in a three-layer tissue numerical
The human
modeltissue is composed
with the dimensions of of50
skin,
mm fat,
× 50and
mm muscle. Theimitates
× 58 mm that electrical
the properties of the tissues vary
real human environment.
with frequency.
The human Table 1 lists
tissue the values
is composed of dielectric
of skin, properties
fat, and muscle. for skin,properties
The electrical fat, and muscle in thevary
of the tissues simulated
model atwith
2.45frequency.
GHz. To Table 1 lists
be closer the valuesdevices
to external of dielectric properties
and reduce thefor
pathskin,
lossfat,
in and muscle the
the tissue, in the
proposed
simulated model at 2.45 GHz. To be closer to external devices and reduce the
antenna is implanted in a depth of 2 mm from the top of skin. The simulated tool employs ANSYS path loss in the tissue,
the proposed antenna is implanted in a depth of 2 mm from the top of skin. The simulated tool
High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) software (v.13, Ansys Inc., Canonsburg, PA, USA) for
employs ANSYS High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) software (v.13, Ansys Inc.,
modeling, optimizing,
Canonsburg, and analyzing.
PA, USA) for modeling, optimizing, and analyzing.

Figure 1. Simulation environment of the proposed antenna.


Micromachines 2019, 10 3

Figure 1. Simulation environment of the proposed antenna.


Micromachines 2019, 10, 70 3 of 11

Table 1. Dielectric properties of different tissues at 2.45 GHz.


Table 1. Dielectric properties of different tissues at 2.45 GHz.
Tissues Thickness (mm) εr σ (S/m)
Skin
Tissues 4 (mm)
Thickness 38.0εr 1.46 σ (S/m)
Skin Fat 44 5.2838.0 0.1 1.46
FatMuscle 50
4 52.75.28 1.74 0.1
Muscle 50 52.7 1.74
2.2. Geometry of the Proposed Circularly-Polarized Antenna
2.2. Geometry of the Proposed Circularly-Polarized Antenna
The configuration of the proposed implantable antenna is demonstrated in Figure 2, the
dimensions of the patch are
The configuration of fixed to 9.0 mm implantable
the proposed × 9.0 mm withantenna
a ground is plane of 9.2 mm in
demonstrated × 9.2Figure
mm. To 2,
achieve
the the miniaturization,
dimensions of the patch are thefixed
antenna
to 9.0ismm
manufactured
× 9.0 mm with on aa Rogers
ground3010planesubstrate
of 9.2 mm with
× 9.2a high
mm.
dielectric
To achieveconstant of εr = 10.2 the
the miniaturization, andantenna
a low is loss tangent of tan
manufactured on aδRogers
= 0.0035,
3010covered
substrate bywith
a layer
a high of
superstrate
dielectric with the
constant of εsame material
r = 10.2 and a low as loss
the tangent
substrate, each
of tan δ =with a thickness
0.0035, covered by of aHlayer
= 0.635 mm. The
of superstrate
superstrate
with the same is utilized
materialtoasseparate human each
the substrate, tissues from
with the conducting
a thickness of H =patch
0.635of the The
mm. proposed antenna
superstrate is
and to enhance
utilized to separate the human
matching withfrom
tissues the around inner tissues.
the conducting patchInoforder to avoidantenna
the proposed shortingand andtotoenhance
relieve
mismatching,
the matching with the proposed
the around antenna should In
inner tissues. be order
wrapped by a shorting
to avoid thin filmandof biocompatible materials
to relieve mismatching,
alumina
the (εr = antenna
proposed 9.2, tan δshould
= 0.008).
be The 50-Ω coaxial
wrapped by a thin cable
filmfeeding point is welded
of biocompatible materialsat the position
alumina (εr =(d,9.2,
d)
along the center of diagonal of the patch. Two small triangle patches are embedded
tan δ = 0.008). The 50-Ω coaxial cable feeding point is welded at the position (d, d) along the center of on the upper and
lower sides
diagonal of patch.
of the the proposed
Two smallantenna
triangle and connected
patches with the
are embedded main
on the patch
upper andthrough two ofhigh
lower sides the
impedance
proposed lines. and
antenna Additionally, V-shaped
connected with the mainslots are through
patch embedded twointo
highthe left andlines.
impedance rightAdditionally,
side of the
proposed slots
V-shaped antenna. It should be
are embedded noted
into thatand
the left perturbation
right side slots
of theare cut to optimize
proposed antenna.the axial ratio
It should (AR).
be noted
Tableperturbation
that 2 lists the detailed
slots arevalues
cut to of the geometrical
optimize the axial dimension
ratio (AR). after
Tablethe optimization
2 lists the detailed with the aid
values of theof
ANSYS HFSS.
geometrical dimension after the optimization with the aid of ANSYS HFSS.

L
L1
d

Copper W
L2
L4
Substrate
L3
y
L5

L7 H1
x
z
H2

z
L9

x
y
L8
L6 L10
g
Perturbation (a)
element
Superstrate
Substrate H
Patch Ground SMA
(b)

Figure Geometry of the proposed antenna at: (a) Top view; and (b) side view.
Figure 2. Geometry view.

Table 2. Dimensions of the proposed antenna parameters (unit: mm).


Table 2. Dimensions of the proposed antenna parameters (unit: mm).
Symbol Value Symbol Value Symbol Value
Symbol Value Symbol Value Symbol Value
L 9.0 W 0.5 L1 4.6
L2 L 1.8 9.0 L3W 0.5
0.6 L1 L4 4.6 0.4
L5 L2 6.4 1.8 L6L3 0.8
0.6 L4 L7 0.4 2.6
L8 2.2 L9 0.9 d 3.5
g L5 0.1 6.4 H1L6 0.8
1.8 L7 H2 2.6 1
L8 2.2 L9 0.9 d 3.5
2.3. Simulated Results
g 0.1 H1 1.8 H2 1

Figure 3 illustrates the simulated reflection coefficient together with the axial ratio (AR) of the
proposed antenna in main radiation direction towards the outside of human body. The simulated
Micromachines 2019,
Micromachines 2019, 10
10 44

2.3. Simulated
2.3. Simulated Results
Results
Figure 2019,
Micromachines 3 illustrates
10, 70 the simulated
Figure 3 illustrates the simulated reflection
reflection coefficient
coefficient together
together with
with the
the axial
axial ratio
ratio (AR)
(AR) of
of
4 ofthe
11
the
proposed antenna
proposed antenna in in main
main radiation
radiation direction
direction towards
towards thethe outside
outside of
of human
human body.
body. The
The simulated
simulated
impedance
impedance bandwidth is covered from 2.39 GHz to 2.57 GHz with S11 less than –10 dB while the AR
impedance bandwidth
bandwidth is is covered
covered from
from 2.39
2.39 GHz
GHz to to 2.57
2.57 GHz
GHz with
with S11
S11 less
less than
than −
–10
10 dB
dB while
while the
the AR
AR
bandwidth can be
bandwidth be extended from
from 2.39
2.39 GHz
GHz toto 2.48
2.48 GHz
GHz with
with AR
AR below
below 3 dB.
dB.
bandwidth can
can be extended
extended from 2.39 GHz to 2.48 GHz with AR below 33 dB.

Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Figure Simulated reflection
Simulatedreflection
3. Simulated coefficient
reflection coefficient and
coefficient and axial
and axial ratio (AR)
axial ratio
ratio (AR) varying
(AR) varying with
varying with frequency.
with frequency.
frequency.

Figure 44 depicts
Figure depicts thethe simulated
simulated far-field
far-field gain
gain radiation
radiation patterns
patterns of of the
the proposed
proposed antenna
antenna in in two
two
principalplanes
principal
principal planes(i.e.,
planes (i.e.,
(i.e., xy-plane
xy-plane
xy-plane and xz-plane)
xz-plane)
xz-plane)
and and at
at 2.45at 2.45ItsGHz.
GHz.
2.45 GHz.
maximumIts maximum
Its maximum left-handed
left-handedleft-handed circular
circular polarization
circular
polarization
(LHCP) (LHCP)
radiation is radiation
towards is
the towards
antenna’s the antenna’s
boresight at boresight
theta = 0 ◦ ,at theta
that is =
the 0°, that
off-body is the off-body
direction as
polarization (LHCP) radiation is towards the antenna’s boresight at theta = 0°, that is the off-body
directionDue
desired.
direction as desired.
as desired. Due
to the fact
Due to the
that
to the fact
the fact that the
proposed
that the proposed
antenna
proposed antenna
is very is very
compact
antenna is very compact
andcompact
implanted andinimplanted
and implanted
the lossy in in the
the
tissue
lossy
with tissue
the with
limited the
space, limited space,
different different
from the from the
conventional conventional
antenna antenna
operating
lossy tissue with the limited space, different from the conventional antenna operating in free space,operating
in free in
space, free
the space,
peak
the peak
peakgain
realized
the is −24.8
realized
realized gaindBi
gain is −24.8
is −24.8 dBiGHz.
at 2.45
dBi at 2.45
at 2.45 GHz.
GHz.

Figure 4.
Figure 4. Simulated radiation
4. Simulated
Simulated patterns
radiation patterns at
patterns at 2.45
at 2.45 GHz.
2.45 GHz.
GHz.
Figure radiation
3. Antenna Analysis

3.1. Miniaturization of the Proposed Antenna


In order to investigate the mechanism of miniaturization, the corresponding topology of the
antenna is evolved from Case 1 to Case 4 by subsequently cutting slots and loading patch into a
conventional square patch antenna, as shown in Figure 5. Here, all antennas keep the fixed sizes of
9.2 mm × 9.2 mm and the simulating settings are similar.
3. Antenna Analysis
3.1. Miniaturization of the Proposed Antenna
In Miniaturization
3.1. order to investigate the mechanism
of the Proposed Antenna of miniaturization, the corresponding topology of
the antenna i
In order to investigate the mechanism of miniaturization, the corresponding topology of
the antenna
Micromachines 2019, i10, 70 5 of 11

Micromachines 2019, 10 5

3. Antenna Analysis

3.1. Miniaturization of the Proposed Antenna


In order to investigate the mechanism of miniaturization, the corresponding topology of
the antenna i

(a) (a) (b)


(b) (c)(c) (d) (d)
Figure 5. Evolving
Figure
Figure 5. structures
5. Evolving
Evolving structuresof
structures ofofthe
theproposed
the antenna
antennain:in:
proposed antenna
proposed in:(a)(a) Case
Case
(a) 1;
1; (b)
1; (b)
Case Case
(b) Case
2; (c)2;
Case (c)
(c) Case
2;Case 3; and3;
Case and
and (d)
3;(d) (d)
CaseCase
4.
Case 4. 4.

WithWith reference
reference
reference to to Figure
to Figure
Figure 5,5,5, Case111isis
Case
Case isaaaconventional
conventional square
conventional square
square patch antenna
patch
patch with
antenna
antenna thethe
with
with feeding
the portport
feeding
feeding port
at
at the upper right diagonal, Case 2 is obtained by etching an arrow-shaped slot in the upper and
at
thethe upper
upper rightright diagonal,
diagonal, CaseCase2 is 2obtained
is obtained by etching
by etching an arrow-shaped
an arrow-shaped slot inslot
thein the upper
upper and
and lower
lower parts of the patch. In Case 3, two small triangle patches are respectively loaded on the
lower
parts ofparts of theInpatch.
the patch. Case 3,Intwo Casesmall3, two
trianglesmall triangle
patches are patches are loaded
respectively respectively
on theloaded on the
arrow-shaped
arrow-shaped slot of Case 2 and connected with the main patch through two high impedance lines.
arrow-shaped
slot of
As Case
shown
slot
2 in
and of Case
connected
Figure
2 and
with
6, the resonant
connected
the mainwith
frequency patchthe main
through
of 4 GHz
patch through
two1 shifts
in Case high two high
impedance
down to 3.6 GHz
impedance
lines.inAs shown
Case 2,
lines.
in
As shown
Figure 6, in
the Figure
resonant 6, the resonant
frequency of 4 frequency
GHz in of
Case 41 GHz
shifts in Case
down 1
to shifts
3.6 GHzdown
then converts to 3.16 GHz in Case 3, indicating that a 21% of miniaturization can be achieved.in to
Case 3.6
2, GHz
then in Case
converts 2,
to
then
3.16 GHz (a)Case
converts
in to 3.16 that3,a(b)
GHz in Case
3, indicating indicating that a 21% ofcan
21% of miniaturization miniaturization (d)
(c)be achieved. can be achieved.
Figure 5. Evolving structures of the proposed antenna in: (a) Case 1; (b) Case 2; (c) Case 3; and (d)
Case 4.

With reference to Figure 5, Case 1 is a conventional square patch antenna with the feeding port
at the upper right diagonal, Case 2 is obtained by etching an arrow-shaped slot in the upper and
lower parts of the patch. In Case 3, two small triangle patches are respectively loaded on the
arrow-shaped slot of Case 2 and connected with the main patch through two high impedance lines.
As shown in Figure 6, the resonant frequency of 4 GHz in Case 1 shifts down to 3.6 GHz in Case 2,
then converts to 3.16 GHz in Case 3, indicating that a 21% of miniaturization can be achieved.

Figure 6. Simulated S11 of four cases embedded in the same phantom.

d L L0
0
Figure 6. Simulated
Simulated S11
S11 of four cases embedded in the same phantom.
Port 1 Port 2 Port 1 Port 2

Theoretically, an antenna can C0


d be equivalent to a L0
transmission
line, as shown in Figure 7, which is
L1 L0
characterized by a series inductance L0 and a shunt capacitance C0 per unit length. When the antenna
Port 1 Port 2 Port 1 Port 2
is loaded with patch through a high impedance lines, the miniaturization C1 of the proposed antenna
C0
can be achieved by taking advantage of the principle of slow waves L1 [25]. The mechanism can be
Figure 7. Transmission line model with LC loadings.
understood through calculating the propagation velocity as:
C1
Theoretically, an antenna can be equivalent
1 to a transmission
c line, as shown in Figure 7, which
νp = √
is characterized by a series inductance L0 and a=shunt = λ g f C0 per unit length. When the
√ capacitance (1)
L0 C0line model
Figure 7. Transmission ε e f f with LC loadings.
Figure 6. Simulated S11 of four cases embedded in the same phantom.
Theoretically, an antenna can be equivalent to a transmission line, as shown in Figure 7, which
d L0
is characterized by a series inductance L0 and a shunt capacitance CL00 per unit length. When the
Port 1 Port 2 Port 1 Port 2
C0
L1

C1

Figure
Figure 7.
7. Transmission
Transmission line model with LC loadings.

Theoretically, an antenna can be equivalent to a transmission line, as shown in Figure 7, which


is characterized by a series inductance L0 and a shunt capacitance C0 per unit length. When the
antenna is loaded with patch through a high impedance lines, the miniaturization of the proposed
antenna can be achieved by taking advantage of the principle of slow waves [25]. The mechanism
can be understood through calculating the propagation velocity as:

1 c
Micromachines 2019, 10, 70 νp = = = λg f 6 of(1)
11
L0 C 0 ε eff

According to Equation (1), by adding triangle patches patches (equivalent


(equivalent to
to aa capacitance
capacitance C C11) and high
(equivalent to
impedance line (equivalent to an
an inductance
inductance LL11),), total
total equivalent
equivalent capacitance
capacitance and/or
and/or inductance are
increased, subsequently propagation velocity becomes slower, resulting in waveguide waveguide wavelength
wavelength
remains unchanged.
smaller when the frequency remains unchanged.
To further
To furtherminiaturize
miniaturizethe theproposed
proposed antenna,
antenna, V-shaped
V-shaped patches
patches are are
etchedetched
into into theand
the left leftright
and
right sides of Case 3, lengthening the current path, as established in Case 4 of Figure
sides of Case 3, lengthening the current path, as established in Case 4 of Figure 5d. Compared with 5d. Compared
with Case
Case 1, the1,corresponding
the corresponding resonate
resonate frequency
frequency of Case of Case 4 is shifted
4 is shifted downdown from 4from
GHz4 toGHz 2.51toGHz,
2.51
GHz, demonstrating that 37.3% of miniaturization
demonstrating that 37.3% of miniaturization is achieved. is achieved.

3.2. CP property of the Antenna


As shown in Figure 2, perturbation slots are introduced in the patch to strengthen the CP
performance. WithWithreference
referencetotoFigure
Figure8,8,it itcan
canbebe seen
seen that
that thethe small
small slots
slots taketake critical
critical rolerole in
in the
the impedance
impedance matching
matching andand circular
circular polarization.
polarization. ForForthethepurpose
purposeofofvisualizing
visualizinghowhow the
the circular
polarization
polarization isisgenerated,
generated,the
thesimulated
simulatedsurface
surface current
current distributions
distributionson on
the the
patch at 2.45
patch GHzGHz
at 2.45 for four
for
moments of 0T,ofT/4,
four moments 0T, T/2, and and
T/4, T/2, 3/4T3/4T
are are
demonstrated
demonstrated in Figure 9. With
in Figure the increment
9. With of time
the increment by a by
of time step
a
of T/4,
step the currents
of T/4, rotate
the currents clockwise,
rotate transmitting
clockwise, transmittingLHCP LHCPwaves in the
waves inboresight direction.
the boresight direction.

0 18

15
-10
With perturbation slot
12
Axial Ratio (dB)

Without perturbation slot


S11 (dB)

-20 9

6
-30
3
With perturbation slot
Without perturbation slot
-40 0
2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7
Frequency (GHz) Frequency (GHz)
(a) (b)
Figure 8. Performance of the
8. Performance the proposed
proposed antenna
antenna with/without
with/without perturbation slots: (a) Reflection
Micromachines 2019,and
coefficient; 10 (b) AR. 7

x
3T/4

(a) T/2 0T (b)

T/4

(c) (d)
Figure9.9.Current
Figure Currentdistributions
distributionson
onthe
thepatch (a)t t==0T;
patchat:at:(a) (b)t t==T/4;
0T;(b) (c) tt == T/2;
T/4; (c) (d)tt==3T/4.
and(d)
T/2; and 3T/4.

3.3. Parameter Studies


To obtain available guidelines for the practical design of the proposed antenna, various
important parameters that can influence the return loss and axial ratio at the boresight direction are
(c) (d)
Figure
Micromachines 9. Current
2019, 10, 70 distributions on the patch at: (a) t = 0T; (b) t = T/4; (c) t = T/2; and (d) t = 3T/4. 7 of 11

3.3. Parameter Studies


3.3. Parameter Studies
To obtain available guidelines for the practical design of the proposed antenna, various
important parameters
To obtain availablethat can influence
guidelines for thethe returndesign
practical loss and axial
of the ratio at antenna,
proposed the boresight direction
various importantare
examined.
parametersAs a key
that canparameter
influence the is studied, the other
return loss parameters
and axial ratio at are
the kept constant.
boresight The width
direction L4 of the
are examined.
higha impedance
As key parameter microstrip line shows
is studied, the parameters
the other crucial influence on the
are kept reflection
constant. Thecoefficient
width L4and AR,high
of the due
to its effect on
impedance the current
microstrip linedistributions
shows the crucialon theinfluence
patch of onthethe
proposed
reflectionantenna. As exhibited
coefficient and AR, duein Figure
to its
10, theon
effect return loss and
the current axial ratio are
distributions onsensitive
the patchtoofdifferent L4 values.
the proposed A reasonable
antenna. As exhibitedaxialin
ratio at 2.45
Figure 10,
GHz can be
the return achieved
loss and axialwhen
ratioL4areis sensitive
set to be to
0.4different
mm. If L4 L4becomes
values. Alarger or smaller,
reasonable thereatis2.45
axial ratio a drastic
GHz
influence on thewhen
can be achieved AR. L4Figure
is set 11
to bedemonstrates
0.4 mm. If L4the effect larger
becomes of tuning L5 onthere
or smaller, the performance of the
is a drastic influence
proposed
on the AR.antenna.
Figure 11With reference the
demonstrates to the curves
effect in theL5
of tuning figure,
on thea performance
linear increaseof in
theL5proposed
(from 6.3antenna.
mm to
6.5 mm)
With will result
reference to the in shifting
curves in thethefigure,
resonance
a lineardown to the
increase lower
in L5 (from frequency
6.3 mm toand deviating
6.5 mm) the CP
will result in
towards theresonance
shifting the lower band. down to the lower frequency and deviating the CP towards the lower band.

0 18
L4= 0.2 mm
15 L4= 0.4 mm (prop.)
L4= 0.6 mm
-10
12
Axial Ratio (dB)
S11 (dB)

-20 9

6
-30 L4= 0.2 mm
L4= 0.4 mm (prop.) 3
L4= 0.6 mm
-40 0
2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7
Frequency (GHz) Frequency (GHz)
(a) (b)
Micromachines
Figure 2019, 10
Performance
10. Performance ofthe
of theproposed
proposedantenna
antenna with
with different
different L4 L4 values:
values: (a) Reflection
(a) Reflection coefficient;
coefficient; and 8
and (b) AR.
(b) AR.

0 18

15
-10 L5= 6.3 mm
12
Axial Ratio (dB)

L5= 6.4 mm (prop.)


L5= 6.5 mm
S11 (dB)

-20 9

6
-30 L5= 6.3 mm
L5= 6.4 mm (prop.) 3
L5= 6.5 mm
-40 0
2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7
Frequency (GHz) Frequency (GHz)
(a) (b)
Figure
Figure 11.
11. Performance of the
Performance of theproposed
proposedantenna
antennawith
withdifferent
different
L5L5 values:
values: (a)(a) Reflection
Reflection coefficient;
coefficient; and
and (b) AR.
(b) AR.

3.4.Safety
3.4. SafetyConsideration
Consideration
When the
When the proposed
proposed antenna
antenna is
is implanted
implantedintointothe
thehuman
humanbody,
body,specific absorption
specific absorptionrate (SAR)
rate for
(SAR)
safety concerns should be evaluated. The IEEE C95.1-2005 standard limits the SAR
for safety concerns should be evaluated. The IEEE C95.1-2005 standard limits the SAR average overaverage over any
10 g10
any ofgtissue in the
of tissue shape
in the of aofcube
shape a cubeto less than
to less 2 W/Kg
than 2 W/Kg(SAR
(SAR10g, max≤≤ 22 W/kg)
10g,max [26].Therefore,
W/kg) [26]. Therefore,
through calculation, the maximum 10-g averaged SAR value is 81.5 W/kg at 2.45
through calculation, the maximum 10-g averaged SAR value is 81.5 W/kg at 2.45 GHz on condition GHz on condition
that the power delivered to the proposed antenna is set to be 1 W, meaning that the delivered power
should be below 24.5 mW to meet the IEEE C95.1-1999 standard.

4. Experimental Results
In order to validate the design strategy, the prototype of the proposed implanted antenna was
3.4. Safety Consideration
When the proposed antenna is implanted into the human body, specific absorption rate (SAR)
for safety concerns should be evaluated. The IEEE C95.1-2005 standard limits the SAR average over
Micromachines 2019, 10, 70 8 of 11
any 10 g of tissue in the shape of a cube to less than 2 W/Kg (SAR 10g, max ≤ 2 W/kg) [26]. Therefore,
through calculation, the maximum 10-g averaged SAR value is 81.5 W/kg at 2.45 GHz on condition
that the power delivered to the proposed antenna is set to be 1 W, meaning that the delivered power
should
should be
be below
below 24.5
24.5 mW
mW to
to meet
meet the
the IEEE
IEEE C95.1-1999
C95.1-1999 standard.
standard.

4.
4. Experimental
Experimental Results
Results
In
In order
order to to validate
validate the
the design
design strategy,
strategy, the
the prototype
prototype of of the
the proposed
proposed implanted
implanted antenna
antenna was
was
fabricated
fabricated and assembled. The measurement environment surrounding the proposed antenna
and assembled. The measurement environment surrounding the proposed antenna is is aa
piece
piece of
offresh
freshstreaky
streakyporkpork(shortly
(shortlyafter
afterslaughter)
slaughter) comprised
comprised layers of of
layers skin, fat,fat,
skin, and muscle.
and muscle.Figure 12
Figure
shows the photos of fabricated antenna and measurement setup. The S-parameters
12 shows the photos of fabricated antenna and measurement setup. The S-parameters of the antenna of the antenna
against
against frequency
frequency are are measured
measured with
with the
the aid
aid of
of an
an Agilent
Agilent N5230A
N5230A vector
vector network
network analyzer
analyzer (VNA)
(VNA)
(Keysight Technologies, Santa Rosa, CA, USA). The simulated and measured
(Keysight Technologies, Santa Rosa, CA, USA). The simulated and measured S-parameters are S-parameters are shown
in Figure
shown in13. The measured
Figure bandwidth
13. The measured for S11 <for
bandwidth −10 S11dB< is–10
12.9%,
dB iscovering 2.32 to 2.64
12.9%, covering 2.32GHz. There
to 2.64 GHz.is
aThere
slightisdifference betweenbetween
a slight difference the simulated and measured
the simulated results mainly
and measured due to due
results mainly the tolerances in the
to the tolerances
fabrication process and measurement. A linearly polarized dipole, working
in the fabrication process and measurement. A linearly polarized dipole, working as a receiver, is as a receiver, is placed
150 mm150
placed away mmfromaway thefrom
proposed antennaantenna
the proposed to testifytothe CP property
testify of the proposed
the CP property antenna.antenna.
of the proposed The S21
between the proposed
The S21 between antennaantenna
the proposed and theand dipole was measured
the dipole was measured whenwhen
the dipole was was
the dipole placed at the
placed at
phi = − 45 ◦ , 0◦ , 45◦ , and 90◦ , respectively. With reference to Figure 13, there is a maximum deviation
the phi = −45°, 0°, 45°, and 90°, respectively. With reference to Figure 13, there is a maximum
only up toonly
deviation 3 dBup fortothe measured
3 dB S21, proving
for the measured S21,the CP property
proving the CPofproperty
the proposed
of theantenna.
proposed antenna.

Micromachines 2019, 10 9

Figure 12. Photograph of the fabricated antenna prototype and measurement setup.
Figure 12. Photograph of the fabricated antenna prototype and measurement setup.
0

-10

-20
S-parameter (dB)

Mea. |S21|/-45 deg


-30 Mea. |S21|/0 deg
Mea. |S21|/45 deg Sim. S11/Tx
-40 Mea. |S21|/90 deg
Mea. S11/Tx
-50 Mea. S22/Rx

-60

-70
2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7
Frequency (GHz)
Measured S-parameters
Figure 13. Measured S-parameters of the proposed antenna.

5. Conclusion
This article has numerically designed and experimentally studied a novel miniaturized
single-fed circularly-polarized microstrip patch antenna at the ISM band of 2.40–2.48 GHz. By
introducing reactive loading to form slow wave effect on the radiator and etching V-shaped slots on
the main patch to lengthen the current flow path, a miniaturized antenna with the dimensions of 9.2
mm × 9.2 mm × 1.27 mm can be obtained. The radiations of the proposed antenna show a left-handed
Micromachines 2019, 10, 70 9 of 11

5. Conclusions
This article has numerically designed and experimentally studied a novel miniaturized single-fed
circularly-polarized microstrip patch antenna at the ISM band of 2.40–2.48 GHz. By introducing
reactive loading to form slow wave effect on the radiator and etching V-shaped slots on the main
patch to lengthen the current flow path, a miniaturized antenna with the dimensions of 9.2 mm ×
9.2 mm × 1.27 mm can be obtained. The radiations of the proposed antenna show a left-handed
circular polarization when we adjust the sizes of geometrical structure. The prototype of the proposed
implantable antenna has been implemented. The agreements between the simulated results and ex
vivo measured ones have been reached.
As illustrated in Table 3, the performance of the proposed antenna is not perfect. Whereas,
a trade-off has been reached. Compared with [5], although the dimensions of the proposed antenna are
bigger, its AR bandwidth is broadened. The proposed antenna has less efficiency than the work in [21],
but it has smaller dimensions and bigger AR bandwidth; compared with the art [23], the proposed
antenna has compact dimensions with higher AR bandwidth; compared with [27], the proposed
antenna has much compact dimensions with high efficiency. Hence, based on the slow wave effect,
this novel implantable CP antenna is designed and miniaturized with the advantages of great size
reduction and high polarization purity. The merit performance of the proposed implantable antenna
shows the great potential in the application of biomedical telemetry, such as subcutaneous real-time
glucose monitoring.

Table 3. Comparison of the proposed antenna with prior art.

Dimensions Bandwidth Peak Gain


Ref.
(mm × mm × mm) (dBi)
(S11 < −10 dB) (AR < 3 dB)
[5] 8.5 × 8.5 × 1.27 (92 mm3 ) 2.32–2.62 GHz (~12.2%) 2.42–2.48 GHz (~2.4%) −17
[21] 10 × 10 × 1.27 (127 mm3 ) 2.36–2.55 GHz (~7.7%) 2.44–2.48 GHz (~1.6%) −22
[23] π × (5.5)2 × 1.27 (~120 mm3 ) 2.31–2.51 GHz (~8.3%) 2.42–2.48 GHz (~2.49%) −22.7
[27] 10 × 10 × 1.27 (127 mm3 ) 2.35–2.50 GHz (~6.2%) 2.36–2.56 GHz (~8.13%) −27.2
This work 9.2 × 9.2 × 1.27 (107 mm3 ) 2.39–2.57 GHz (~7.2%) 2.39–2.48 GHz (~3.7%) −24.8

Author Contributions: X.L. and Y.F. conceived the initial project; J.L. performed the design and experiment;
Y.F. verified the results; Y.F. and J.L. prepared the original draft; Y.F. answered the comments and modified
the manuscript; T.C. reviewed the manuscript; X.L. supervised the project; all authors read and approved the
final manuscript.
Funding: This work was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 61372008), the Science
and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province (Nos. 2014A010103014 and 2015B010101006), and the
China Scholarship Council (No. 201706155018).
Acknowledgments: The authors would also like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments
and suggestions in improving the quality of this paper.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References
1. Kiourti, A.; Nikita, K.S. A review of implantable patch antennas for biomedical telemetry: Challenges and
solutions. IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag. Mag. 2012, 54, 210–228. [CrossRef]
2. Soontornpipit, P.; Furse, C.M.; Chung, Y.C. Design of implantable microstrip antenna for communication
with medical implants. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech. 2004, 52, 1944–1951. [CrossRef]
3. Damis, H.A.; Khalid, N.; Mirzavand, R.; Chung, H.; Mousavi, P. Investigation of epidermal loop antennas
for biotelemetry IoT applications. IEEE Access. 2018, 6, 15806–15815. [CrossRef]
4. Neihart, N.M.; Harrison, R.R. Micropower circuits for bidirectional wireless telemetry in neural recording
applications. IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 2005, 52, 1950–1959. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Micromachines 2019, 10, 70 10 of 11

5. Liu, X.Y.; Wu, Z.T.; Fan, Y.; Tentzeris, E.M. A miniaturized CSRR loaded wide-beamwidth circularly polarized
implantable antenna for subcutaneous real-time glucose monitoring. IEEE Antennas Wirel. Propag. Lett. 2017,
16, 577–580. [CrossRef]
6. Shah, S.A.A.; Yoo, H. Scalp-implantable antenna systems for intracranial pressure monitoring. IEEE Trans.
Antennas Propag. 2018, 66, 2170–2173. [CrossRef]
7. Hall, P.S.; Hao, Y. Antennas and Propagation for Body-Centric Wireless Communications, 2nd ed.; Artech House:
Norwood, MA, USA, 2012.
8. Huang, F.J.; Lee, C.M.; Chang, C.L.; Chen, L.K.; Yo, T.C.; Luo, C.H. Rectenna application of miniaturized
implantable antenna design for triple-band biotelemetry communication. IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag. 2011,
59, 2646–2653. [CrossRef]
9. Duan, Z.; Guo, Y.X.; Xue, R.F.; Je, M.; Kwong, D.L. Differentially-fed dual-band implantable antenna for
biomedical applications. IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag. 2012, 60, 5587–5595. [CrossRef]
10. Kiourti, A.; Nikita, K.S. Miniature scalp-implantable antennas for telemetry in the MICS and ISM bands:
Design, safety considerations and link budget analysis. IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag. 2012, 60, 3568–3575.
[CrossRef]
11. Merli, F.; Bolomey, L.; Zurcher, J.F.; Corradini, G.; Meurville, E.; Skrivervik, A.K. Design, realization
and measurements of a miniature antenna for implantable wireless communication systems. IEEE Trans.
Antennas Propag. 2011, 59, 3544–3555.
12. Warty, R.; Tofighi, M.R.; Kawoos, U.; Rosen, A. Characterization of implantable antennas for intracranial
pressure monitoring: Reflection by and transmission through a scalp phantom. IEEE Trans. Microw.
Theory Tech. 2008, 56, 2366–2376. [CrossRef]
13. Xu, L.J.; Guo, Y.X.; Wu, W. Miniaturized dual-band antenna for implantable wireless communications.
IEEE Antennas Wirel. Propag. Lett. 2014, 13, 1160–1163.
14. Izdebski, P.M.; Rajagopalan, H.; Rahmat-Samii, Y. Conformal ingestible capsule antenna: A novel chandelier
meandered design. IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag. 2009, 57, 900–909. [CrossRef]
15. Liu, Y.; Chen, Y.; Lin, H.; Juwono, F.H. A novel differentially fed compact dual-band implantable antenna for
biotelemetry applications. IEEE Antennas Wirel. Propag. 2016, 15, 1791–1794. [CrossRef]
16. Xu, L.J.; Guo, Y.X.; Wu, W. Dual-band implantable antenna with open-end slots on ground. IEEE Antennas
Wirel. Propag. Lett. 2012, 11, 1564–1567. [CrossRef]
17. Liu, C.; Guo, Y.X.; Xiao, S. Compact dual-band antenna for implantable devices. IEEE Antennas Wirel.
Propag. Lett. 2012, 11, 1508–1511.
18. Liu, W.C.; Chen, S.H.; Wu, C.M. Bandwidth enhancement and size reduction of an implantable PIFA antenna
for biotelemetry devices. Microw. Opt. Technol. Lett. 2009, 51, 755–757. [CrossRef]
19. Jung, Y.H.; Qiu, Y.; Lee, S.B.; Shih, T.Y.; Xu, Y.; Xu, R.; Lee, J.; Schendel, A.A.; Lin, W.; Williams, J.C.;
et al. A compact parylene-coated WLAN flexible antenna for implantable electronics. IEEE Antennas Wirel.
Propag. Lett. 2016, 15, 1382–1385. [CrossRef]
20. Duan, Z.; Guo, Y.X.; Je, M.; Kwong, D.L. Design and in vitro test of a differentially fed dual-band implantable
antenna operating at MICS and ISM bands. IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag. 2014, 62, 2430–2439. [CrossRef]
21. Liu, C.R.; Guo, Y.X.; Xiao, S.Q. Capacitively loaded circularly polarized implantable patch antenna for ISM
band biomedical applications. IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag. 2014, 62, 2407–2417. [CrossRef]
22. Liu, C.; Guo, Y.X.; Xiao, S.Q. Circularly polarized helical antenna for ISM-band ingestible capsule endoscope
systems. IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag. 2014, 62, 6027–6039. [CrossRef]
23. Li, R.; Guo, Y.X.; Zhang, B.; Du, G.H. A miniaturized circularly polarized implantable annular-ring antenna.
IEEE Antennas Wirel. Propag. Lett. 2017, 16, 2566–2569. [CrossRef]
24. Li, J.M.; Chang, T.H.; Liu, X.Y. A compact circularly polarized antenna for in-body wireless communications.
In Proceedings of the 2017 IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation & USNC/URSI
National Radio Science Meeting, San Diego, CA, USA, 9–14 July 2017; pp. 2593–2594.
25. Chi, P.; Waterhouse, R.; Itoh, T. Antenna miniaturization using slow wave enhancement factor from loaded
transmission line models. IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag. 2011, 59, 48–57. [CrossRef]
Micromachines 2019, 10, 70 11 of 11

26. IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz
to 300 GHz, IEEE Standard C95.1-2005; IEEE: New York, NY, USA, 2006; pp. 1–238.
27. Yang, Z.J.; Xiao, S.Q.; Zhu, L.; Wang, B.Z.; Tu, H.L. A Circularly polarized implantable antenna for 2.4-GHz
ISM band biomedical applications. IEEE Antennas Wirel. Propag. Lett. 2017, 16, 2554–2557. [CrossRef]

© 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access
article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution
(CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

You might also like