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High P erformanc e F lexible F abric E lec tronic s for Megahertz F requenc y C ommunic ations
Yiannis Vardaxoglou,
Loughborough University
Tilak Dias NTU
Rob Seager LU
ADVANCED THERAPEUTIC MATERIALS LTD
Our purpos e
To find the most
effective way to produce a textile antenna and its associated electronics and to integrate this antenna into textiles.
• 3 year project • Partnership
between industry and academia
• Technically challenging
• Commercial potential
T he P artners
• Loughborough University – antenna and microwave specialists
• Nottingham Trent University – textile material properties, performance and design expertise
• Defence Marine Systems – understanding of potential applications in defence and aerospace
• Advanced Therapeutic Materials Ltd – innovation in manufacturing of textiles
• Antrum Ltd – expertise in the commercialisation of antenna technologies
• Cash’s – mainstream woven fabrics supplier • IeMRC – invaluable investment and support
Many applications
• Search and Rescue • Defence • Sport and leisure • Healthcare • Aerospace • Emergency Services • Disaster relief
energy-scavenging nanofibers woven into clothing and textiles.
Why are we doing this ? Current antennas can be: • Bulky • Delicate • Heavy • Easily mislaid/forgotten • Unattractive • Expensive • Require user intervention • Life threatening
• Rigid antennas have been known to puncture life rafts.
E xamples of microwave fabric antennas and T x lines already publis hed
Embroidered Spiral CP Antenna
E mbroidery
Embroidering process in the textile industry in England, 1858
Commercial machine embroidery, 21st century
S ome of our challenges
• Good conductivity/low losses • Good edge definition • Repeatability in manufacture • Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) link between
electronic design and fabric production • Interconnection to traditional systems • Maintain a close watch on possible applications
and end users
Who is doing what….?
• NTU and LU are the main research sites • NTU are working on the production of fabrics
samples using conductive threads • LU are providing input in terms of design for
microwave circuits and measurements • Industrial partners are advising on
manufacturability and possible markets
S ome initial progres s …
• A major review of conductive threads has been undertaken
• Electromechanical testing of yarns commenced
• Samples of high frequency transmission lines have been produced
• Measurement apparatus to evaluate the samples and the threads has been constructed
• Range of microwave and DC measurements have been made
S ome initial progres s …
• Initial guidelines for optimising the performance of fabric conductor systems at microwave frequencies are in place
• Database of conductive yarns and their properties initiated.
• Microwave measurements to assess fabric based conductors and antennas have been defined
• Enhanced measurements techniques still need to be developed in the second year.
S ome initial progres s …
• Second generation antenna and transmission lines produced • Enhanced edge definition
and “quality” • Antenna resonant frequency • Some variation apparent
due to different stitching in the production process
Where are we going next?
• Development of more sophisticated microwave measurements • Loss terms by direct measurement
• Development of theoretical models now practical data is available • Relate yarn conductivity and production to parameters of a
solid conductor for microwave CAE • In longer term, produce a transfer of CAE data from
design to production • We are grateful to the IeMRC for the chance to
undertake this project
Our antennas will be better becaus e they…
• Integrate into clothing improves user comfort and makes it unlikely that the device will be left behind;
• Have the potential for miniaturisation; • are high-technology, easy-to-use, appealing to gadget enthusiasts and
technophobes alike; • Flexible systems are lighter and easier to transport and then deploy; • More aesthetically pleasing - can be integrated into fashionable
sportswear as easily as utilitarian uniforms; • Use less processing materials in manufacture