Dynamic link performance analysis of a rescue worker´s off-body communication system using integrated textile antennas

The performance of wireless data communication for fully equipped firemen walking indoors and communicating through textile patch antennas integrated into their clothing is evaluated. The small-scale fading experienced in the building is characterised, then a measurement with a walking test person is performed in different real-life situations. The channel estimations, level crossing rate and bit error rate for the signals of the multi-antenna receiver are studied and compared in different circumstances. The performance of diversity techniques is evaluated and the advantage of applying diversity is validated under different conditions.