High Performance Flexible Fabric E lectronics for Megahertz - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

High Performance Flexible Fabric E lectronics for Megahertz Frequency Communications

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

The Partners

• 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 Tx 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