1. High P erformanc e F lexible F abric E lec tronic s for
Megahertz F requenc y C ommunic ations
Yiannis
Vardaxoglou,
ADVANCED
Loughborough THERAPEUTIC
MATERIALS LTD
University
Tilak Dias NTU
Rob Seager LU

2. Our purpos e
To find the most
effective way to • 3 year project
produce a • Partnership
textile antenna between industry
and its and academia
associated • Technically
electronics and challenging
to integrate this • Commercial
antenna into potential
textiles.

3. 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

4. Many applic ations
• Search and Rescue
• Defence
• Sport and leisure
• Healthcare
• Aerospace
• Emergency Services
• Disaster relief
energy-scavenging nanofibers
woven into clothing and textiles.

5. 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.

6. E xamples of mic rowave fabric antennas and
T x lines already publis hed
Embroidered Spiral CP Antenna

7. E mbroidery
Commercial machine embroidery, 21st century
Embroidering process in the textile
industry in England, 1858

8. S ome of our c hallenges
• 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

15. Our antennas will be better bec aus 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