A K-band miniaturized antenna for safe mobility of visually impaired people

This contribution regards the design and realization of an electromagnetic system to support the autonomous mobility of visually impaired and blind people. The system works like a radar that transmits a short pulse and analyzes the echo coming from the surrounding. Operative tests carried out with the collaboration of a blind end user demonstrated several potentialities of the electromagnetic technology: detecting in advance (few meters from the user) dangerous objects of different shape and material, detecting the presence of obstacles located at chest or head levels, providing the position of the obstacles respect to the user, easiness of use, etc. In this context, a special attention has been paid to the miniaturization of the transmitting element, which is a k-band slot antenna to be integrated on a small circuit board to be attached onto a white cane.