Portable metamaterial inspired directional antenna for underground mine TTE communication

This work presents an implementation of Through-the-Earth two-way voice communication system helpful during the emergency conditions in underground mine. A metamaterial inspired electrically small antenna has been incorporated in our system for system miniaturization and to solve the portability issue without affecting the antenna efficiency and bandwidth. Simulations are done considering the electrical properties of various types of earthy materials to obtain the communication range. The safety limits for electromagnetic radiation hazard are also verified using a male-human body phantom.