Kadylbekkyky E., Nurzhaubayeva G., Haris N., Aldasheva L., Yedilkhan D., Adam I.
Performance Evaluation of Wearable Antenna Arrays for IoT Applications in Smart City // International Journal of Antennas and Propagation. — 2026. — First published: 12 May 2026. — DOI: 10.1155/ijap/3361033.

Abstract: Wearable antenna arrays are essential for enabling reliable wireless connectivity in Internet of Things (IoT) applications within smart-city environments. However, achieving stable electromagnetic performance, low specific absorption rate (SAR), and mechanical robustness using low-cost textile materials remains challenging. This study presents the design, fabrication, and experimental evaluation of a single-layer 1×2 rectangular microstrip patch antenna array operating at 2.45 GHz. The antenna is tested using different textile substrates (felt, denim, polyester) and conductive materials (copper tape and conductive fabric). Performance is evaluated in terms of impedance matching, gain, radiation pattern, bending-induced detuning, and SAR compliance. Results show that material selection significantly affects antenna performance, with the denim–conductive fabric configuration achieving the best balance of gain (2.04 dBi), impedance stability, and flexibility. SAR values (0.005 W/kg for 1 g and 0.015 W/kg for 10 g) remain well below international safety limits without requiring additional shielding structures. Bending tests demonstrate predictable frequency shifts, enabling design compensation for wearable deployment. The proposed antenna array provides a low-cost, low-profile, and safe solution for wearable IoT systems in smart-city applications.

Link / DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/ijap/3361033