Slot Antennas Integrated into 3D Knitted Fabrics: 5.8 GHz and 24 GHz ISM Bands

Abstract

In the paper, a 3D knitted fabric is used for the design of a circularly polarized textile-integrated antenna. The role of the radiating element is played by a circular slot etched into the conductive top wall of a textile-integrated waveguide. Inside the circular slot, a cross slot rotated for about 45 degrees is etched to excite the circular polarization. The polarization of the antenna can be changed by the rotation of the cross slot. The antenna has a patch-like radiation pattern, and the gain is about 5.3 dBi. The textile-integrated feeder of the antenna is manufactured by screen printing conductive surfaces and sewing side walls with conductive threads. The antenna was developed for ISM bands 5.8 GHz and 24 GHz. The operation frequency 24 GHz is the highest frequency of operation for which the textile-integrated waveguide antenna has been manufactured.