POTENTIAL SPACE APPLICATIONS FOR BODY-CENTRIC WIRELESS AND E-TEXTILE ANTENNAS

Space applications of body-centric wireless and e-textile antennas are numerous. Along with the traditional data sources, such as voice, tracking, and video, new data sources including biotelemetry, high-rate video and data, detailed tracking information and status of handheld tools, devices and on-body inventories have brought about a need for increased performance from antenna systems. E-textile antennas, which typically entail lighter weights and highly conformal properties, show great potential for the next generation of space antenna systems. Antennas made from textiles, however, must be rugged and robust for use in space environments.