Google has filed a patent for a novel antenna design that could revolutionize the wearable tech industry. The patent, published by the USPTO in January 2024, describes a compact antenna for small-sized devices, such as smartwatches and smart rings, that can enhance wireless communication and battery performance. (MSPowerUser)
The patent, titled ‘wearable antenna and wearable device’, explains that the new antenna design uses a microwave dielectric substrate with a high relative permittivity, which means it can store more electrical energy and reduce the interference caused by the human body’s conductivity. The antenna is also very small, measuring 8 mm or less in both width and length, making it ideal for fitting into tight spaces.
Google suggests that the new antenna design could be used in various types of wearable devices, such as smart textiles and fitness trackers, but it specifically shows its use in a smart ring in the patent sketches. A smart ring is a wearable device that can be worn on a finger and can perform various functions, such as monitoring health, controlling smart home devices, and unlocking phones.
The patent comes at a time when the smart ring market is expected to grow rapidly in the next few years, driven by the increasing demand for wearable devices that can offer convenience, security, and health benefits. According to DataHorizzon Research, the smart ring market was valued at $147.1 million in 2022 and is projected to reach $1,405.1 million by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.4%.
Google is not the only tech giant that is eyeing the smart ring segment. Samsung, one of Google’s main rivals in the Android ecosystem, has also teased a smart ring product called the Galaxy Ring, which is expected to launch in the second half of this year. The Galaxy Ring is rumored to feature a wide range of health sensors, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation, as well as NFC and Bluetooth connectivity.
Antennas are essential components of wearable devices, as they enable data collection from various sensors and data transmission to other devices or cloud services. However, designing antennas for wearable devices is challenging, as they have to overcome the limitations of space, form factor, and body effects. Google’s patent aims to address these challenges with a new antenna design that could improve the functionality and efficiency of wearable devices.