Parasitic Array Antenna With Enhanced Surface Wave Launching for On-Body Communications

This paper presents a novel planar directive antenna array with enhanced coupling to the surface wave on the human body. Coupling of a small wearable antenna into the Norton surface wave and creeping wave modes on the surface of the human body is first discussed. Based on these observations, the surface wave parasitic array (SWPA) antenna was designed, and parametric studies were performed to optimize the antenna directivity on the body phantom surface. The antenna was fabricated and measured. Its performance was tested by path gain simulations and measurements. The measurements were performed on a liquid phantom inside an anechoic chamber. Comparison of the performance of the new antenna with other antennas is also presented.