Application of a Compact Electromagnetic Bandgap Array in a Phone Case for Suppression of Mobile Phone Radiation Exposure

In this paper, a mobile phone case incorporating electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) material is studied to intercept electromagnetic (EM) waves from the phone and reduce the specific absorption rate (SAR). A loop antenna for the personal communications service 1900-MHz band is considered. In addition, three different mobile phone cases associating EBG structures with optimized positions are used to improve SAR reduction. Furthermore, antenna performance with an EBG structure is investigated with a full-body EM simulation program, SEMCAD X, and an individual performance analysis of each EBG structure was carried out by using Ansoft HFSS. A human head phantom to replicate the specific anthropomorphic mannequin model was used for measurements. From simulation and measurement, it is found that placing an EBG structure in a phone case can improve antenna gain and reduce SAR. Moreover, a maximum gain increment of 19% and an SAR reduction of 24% were found. This paper reveals the future applications of EBG structures for SAR reduction in mobile phones.