RF Wireless Power Transfer for EIT Neonate Lung Function Monitoring

This paper presents an antenna-based RF wireless power and data transfer system for wireless neonate lung function monitoring in an intensive care unit using electrical impedance tomography (EIT). The proposed dual-band system comprises a directional slotted patch transmit antenna and a slotted flexible omnidirectional monopole antenna operating at 2.51 GHz and 5.1 GHz. A slotting technique unique to each antenna is proposed to achieve dual-band operation and size miniaturization for each antenna. Also, the arraying technique combined with parasitic elements is employed to increase the receive antenna gain and in turn the received power level. Both transmit and receive antennas were simulated and fabricated. Following FCC safety regulations, measurements show 20 mW received power when the receiver and the transmitter are spaced 19 cm apart.