Flexible composite substrate for wearable antenna

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional substrates for electronic textiles suffer from significant dielectric loss when used in the higher frequency bands of 5G communication systems, necessitating the development of materials with improved dielectric properties.

Innovation Solution

A flexible composite substrate comprising a fabric sheet and a single-layer dielectric film with a dielectric resin matrix and low dielectric loss material, which is used to form a wearable antenna with low dielectric constant, dissipation factor, and moisture absorption, enabling efficient signal transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional substrates are used for electronic textiles, then the substrate is flexible and wearable, but the dielectric loss increases significantly in 5G frequency bands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedielectric lossVSAvoidsignal transmission efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining fabric sheets with dielectric films having low dielectric constants and low dissipation factors. This composite structure maintains the flexibility and wearability of fabric while incorporating materials specifically selected for their low dielectric loss properties at 5G frequencies, thereby resolving the contradiction between energy loss and signal transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the dielectric parameters of the substrate by selecting and combining materials with specific dielectric constants (less than 3.0) and dissipation factors (less than 0.005) optimized for 5G frequency ranges. This parameter optimization enables the substrate to maintain low dielectric loss while preserving its flexible, wearable characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If high-performance dielectric materials are used to reduce dielectric loss, then the dielectric properties improve, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedielectric lossVSAvoidsubstrate manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the substrate into distinct functional layers: fabric sheets providing flexibility and dielectric films providing low dielectric loss. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized and manufactured separately using existing processes, then combined through lamination, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity while achieving superior dielectric properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary lamination process to combine the fabric sheet and dielectric film. This intermediary step allows the integration of high-performance dielectric materials without requiring complete redesign of the manufacturing process, as the lamination technique is a established method that bridges the fabric substrate and dielectric film manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If dielectric films are integrated into fabric sheets, then the wearable antenna performance improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna performanceVSAvoidsubstrate structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the dielectric film with the fabric sheet through lamination to create an integrated flexible substrate. This merging combines the functional benefits of both materials—flexibility from fabric and low dielectric loss from the film—into a single unified structure, improving antenna performance while avoiding the complexity of separate, discrete components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: the fabric sheet provides flexibility and wearability, while the dielectric film provides low dielectric loss and signal transmission efficiency. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single integrated structure rather than multiple separate components, thereby improving antenna performance without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The flexible composite substrate provides low dielectric loss and moisture resistance, allowing for high bandwidth and efficient wearable antennas suitable for 5G communication systems, with superior performance and comfort.

Implementation Method 1

The single-layer dielectric film includes a dielectric resin matrix and a low dielectric loss material which is mixed with the dielectric resin matrix and which serves as a wireless functional dielectric interface material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric loss reduction: Dielectric Permittivity

Data Source

PatentUS12476350B2Flexible composite substrate for wearable antenna

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 JABIL INC

AI summary

A flexible composite substrate for a wearable antenna includes a fabric sheet and a single-layer dielectric film immersed into the fabric sheet. The single-layer dielectric film includes a dielectric resin matrix and a low dielectric loss material which is mixed with the dielectric resin matrix and which serves as a wireless functional dielectric interface material.