Body worn antennas for data sharing between dismounted soldiers

The topics discussed in this paper are: · Improved communications between dismounted soldiers improves situational awareness, effectiveness and safety · Body worn antennas and COTS communications equipment offer affordable solution, without significantly increasing the load burden carried by dismounted soldiers · Architecture demonstrated for distributing video, voice & GPS data between patrol members · Metallised nylon bow-tie antenna manufactured · Bandwidth easily accommodates detuning effect of (variable) coupling to the body · Data exchange demonstrated two simultaneous video channels to wrist-mounted smartphone over 100m range, via BWA & chest-mounted router · Antenna & comms equipment integrated into clothing could be utilised by military, rescue and civil (e.g. sports & entertainments) applications.