Path gain models for on-body communication systems at 2.4 and 5.8 GHz

In this paper, a couple of path gain models for on-body communication systems are analyzed and compared. The study is focused on the characterization of the propagation channel between two wearable devices placed on a human body, and operating at 2.4 and 5.8 GHz. Wearable wireless low-cost commercial modules and low-profile annular ring slot antennas were used, and measurements were performed for different radio links on a human body. Measurement results have been compared with CST Microwave Studio simulations by resorting to simplified body models like flat, cylindrical, spherical, and ellipsoidal canonical geometries. Characteristic parameters appearing in the propagation models have been calculated for the analyzed on-body channels and summarized in a concluding table. © 2010 Institut Télécom and Springer-Verlag.