DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/MG7Y-A308
Author ORCID Identifier
0000-0003-3096-7274
Defense Date
2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Electrical & Computer Engineering
First Advisor
Erdem Topsakal
Abstract
Applications in the field of wearable electronics have seen significant growth in recent years. The wearable electronics industry itself is expected to grow up to $52 billion by 2022 [1]. Smart watches capable of various IoT and health data acquisition applications account for a large portion of the wearable market. While most wearable devices are capable of extracting health data such as heart and respiratory rate, body motion data extraction require different types of wearable electronics. This directly impacts everyday practicality as at any given time a finite number of devices can be worn by a user. With increasing demand for advanced features such as gesture control and high speed (5G) wireless IoT device interface, multiple wearable sensors/devices are needed prompting development of fully integrated wearable electronics. Examples of these include form-fitting clothing with off-the-shelf electromyogram (EMG) sensors sewn in for applications such as tracking muscle health and movement for gesture control and interactive 3D user space. Although such devices provide important data, they lack human-body conformity. This lack of practicality and comfortable wearability over long periods of time is attributed to the expensive and rigid nature of the integrated sensors. One method of ensuring long-term comfort and usability is to develop devices using everyday fabrics. The research proposed in this dissertation seeks to develop smart wearable antennas for long term use, on fabric substrates for multi-mode operation, sensing applications such as augmented touch, motion tracking and IoT device communication. A new coplanar topology utilizing coplanar wave guides for an ultra-wideband fabric antenna is presented. Method for substrate material (fabrics) relative permittivity property manipulation via commercially available dielectric inks for resonance pinning, in air and on skin, is discussed. A new set of guidelines are shown for wearable antenna designed on fabric materials for long term device viability and usability testing along with IoT device communication and motion capture.
Rights
© Umar Hasni
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
5-15-2020
Included in
Electrical and Electronics Commons, Electromagnetics and Photonics Commons, Other Electrical and Computer Engineering Commons, Systems and Communications Commons