All-textile, chip-less, battery-free body sensor networks enabled by a concentric multi-node hub antenna architecture

Abstract

Textile-based, chip-less, wireless body sensor networks (WBANs) offer continuous, wireless monitoring of physiological signals from passive sensors distributed across body locations, representing a promising solution for daily wearable sensing. Here, we introduce an all-textile, chip-less, and battery-free textile-based body sensor network (tBSN) capable of simultaneously monitoring multiple passive sensors across the body. The tBSN is seamlessly integrated into conventional textiles via digital embroidery of flexible conductive fiber electrodes. Single-node tBSN exhibits robust wireless transmission over interconnect up to 40 cm and demonstrates durability under various conditions. By arranging multiple single-node sensor networks into a concentric multi-hub antenna architecture, we extend the system to a multi-node tBSN, enabling simultaneous wireless monitoring of distributed passive sensors within a single frequency scan. A wearable garment incorporating the multi-node tBSN tracked biomechanical signals from the vastus lateralis and knee joint during motion, highlighting its significant potential for personalized rehabilitation, fitness-assistive technologies, and advanced gait analysis.