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This paper presents an innovative technique to synthesize a virtual antenna array (VAA) that consumes less energy than conventional antenna arrays that are used in mobile communications systems. We have shown that for a specific spectral efficiency a wireless system using the proposed virtual antenna array consumes significantly less energy per bit (∼3 dB) than a wireless system using a conventional multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) array. This means the adoption of the proposed VAA technology in smartphones, iPad, Tablets and even base-stations should significantly reduce the carbon footprint of wireless systems. The proposed VAA is realized by employing a pair of linear antenna arrays that are placed in an orthogonal configuration relative to each other. This orthogonal arrangement ensures the radiation is circularly polarized. The size of the standard radiating elements constituting the VAA were miniaturized using the topology optimization method. The design of the VAA incorporates substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) and metasurface technologies. The function of SIW in the design was twofold, namely, to reduce energy loss in the substrate on which the VAA is implemented, and secondly to mitigate unwanted electromagnetic interactions between the neighboring radiating elements and thereby enhancing isolation which otherwise would degrade the radiation characteristics of the array. Metasurface technology served to effectively increase the effective aperture of the array with no impact on the footprint of the array. The consequence of SIW and metasurface technologies was improvement in the gain and radiation efficiency of the array. The proposed four orthogonal 4-element VAA covers the entire sub-5 GHz frequency range, and it radiates bidirectional in the azimuth plane and omni-directional in the elevation plane. Moreover, it is relatively easy to design and fabricate. The proposed VAA has dimensions of 0.96λ0 × 0.96λ0 × 0.0016λ0 at mid-band frequency of 3 GHz. VAA has a measured gain of 25 dBi and radiates with 90% efficiency. The average isolation between the linear arrays constituting the virtual array is better than 27 dB.

This article presents for the first time an empirical study that shows the importance of considering temperature when analyzing the permittivity (dielectric constant) of aqueous glucose solutions of various concentrations. The permittivity is a parameter that is investigated by researchers as a biomarker for non-invasive measurement of glucose without drawing blood. The development of this technology will allow personalized healthcare diagnostics to monitor and prevent diabetes. Since human glucose levels in the blood vary in the range of a few milligrams per decilitre, estimating such small variations of glucose will require a highly accurate and repeatable sensing technology. Electromagnetic (EM) waves, specifically in the microwave and terahertz frequency ranges, have shown promise in detecting changes in the electrical properties of blood plasma as they relate to glucose concentration. However, it's important to note that while this technology shows promise, it is still in the research and development phase. It is shown here that the body temperature can affect the accuracy of the blood glucose measurements. Experiments were conducted with different glucose concentration solutions under various temperatures and the complex permittivity of the glucose was studied across a wide frequency range from 400 MHz to 11 GHz. The rise in thermal energy normally causes dipolar liquids like water to vibrate and rotate disrupting the alignment of the dipoles in response to an electric field thereby reducing its permittivity. Empirical results however show that for aqueous solution of glucose the permittivity increases with rise in temperature from 16 °C to 37 °C. This is attributed to the polar nature of the water and glucose molecules that becomes more pronounced with increased thermal energy. Based on the experimental results an accurate analytical expression is derived that considers the temperature of the aqueous glucose solution. The accuracy of the analytical expression is shown experimentally to be above 99%. The findings from the study should enable the design of accurate non-invasive glucose monitoring devices based on electromagnetic sensing techniques.