A Flexible Wearable Rectenna Using AMC for WBAN Applications

In this paper, a preliminary study on the development of a monoband flexible rectenna, using bendable PDMS substrate, is proposed for energy harvesting purposes and WBAN applications. First demonstration of a lx3 highly directional artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) backed wearable dipole antenna is presented. A 200 MHz impedance bandwidth and a gain of over 5.01 dBi, are obtained. It maintains a compact electrical dimension and increases front-to-back ratio (FBR) to 18.67 dB whilst covering the required wifi band. The combination of the dipole antenna and its AMC network with a 4-stage RF-to-DC converter will then be studied.