A 2.4 GHz on-body Bluetooth antenna (BLEpatch) is proposed for respiration monitoring and contact tracing applications. Due to its patch structure, the antenna performance is robust at body proximity. The introduction of a compressible foam substrate allows it to periodically compress and relax in response to abdominal pressure due to respiration. The antenna is simulated both in free space and on a human body model. The antenna passband is 2.36 - 2.57 GHz with a maximum gain of 8.2 dBi in the relaxed state.
Keywords: Bluetooth antenna; Bluetooth low energy (BLE); COVID-19; Internet of Things (IoT); contact tracing; respiration sensor; wearable antenna.