High Performance Flexible Fabric E lectronics for Megahertz Frequency Communications Yiannis Vardaxoglou, ADVANCED Loughborough THERAPEUTIC MATERIALS LTD University Tilak Dias NTU Rob Seager LU
Our purpos e To find the most • 3 year project effective way to • Partnership produce a between industry textile antenna and academia and its associated • Technically electronics and challenging to integrate this • Commercial antenna into potential textiles.
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 Commercial machine embroidery, 21 st century Embroidering process in the textile industry in England, 1858
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
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