ISSN: 1546-962X
CODEN: JAIOAD
Published Online: 8 June 2005
Page Count: 9

Development of Electronic Textiles to Transport Data and Power in Future U.S. Military Protective Clothing Systems

Winterhalter, CA
Textile Technologist, U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, Natick, MA

Teverovsky, J
Senior Engineer, Foster-Miller, Inc., Waltham, MA

Wilson, P
Principal Scientist, Foster-Miller, Inc., Waltham, MA

Slade, J
Project Engineer, Foster-Miller, Inc., Waltham, MA

Farell, B
Manager of Electronic and Biomedical Material Systems Division, Foster-Miller, Inc., Waltham, MA

Horowitz, W
Director of Marketing, Offray Specialty Narrow Fabrics, Chester, NJ

Tierney, E
Development Engineer, Offray Specialty Narrow Fabrics, Chester, NJ

(Received 26 November 2003; accepted 22 December 2004)

Abstract

The focus of this paper is on the development of textile-based wearable electronics that can be integrated into military protective clothing. A materials and manufacturing survey was conducted to determine the best performing and most durable materials to withstand the rigors of textile manufacturing and potential military use. Narrow woven technology was selected as the most appropriate manufacturing method. A working wearable narrow fabric version of the Universal Serial Bus (USB), as well as a radiating conductor, were successfully developed and fabricated. Military products developed include components of a personal area network providing data and power transport and a body borne antenna integrated into a load-bearing vest.

Keywords:
electronic textiles, textile data and power bus, personal area network, wearable antenna, military, army, soldier

Paper ID: JAI12104
DOI: 10.1520/JAI12104
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