As medical devices become increasingly connected, many are expected to support multiple wireless standards from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to cellular and GNSS. This multi-protocol capability is the foundation for pivotal medical processes like continuous monitoring and remote diagnostics, but it also introduces a major challenge of coexistence.
When several RF devices operate simultaneously in close proximity (or within the same enclosure) interference risks rise. Signals can bleed across frequency bands, antennas can detune one another and critical data streams may suffer from degraded performance. For healthcare environments where precision and reliability are essential, device engineers need to know how to manage these risks with purpose-built design strategies.
The challenge of coexistence with compact wireless devices
As device intelligence increases, so does the RF complexity of a single unit. A wireless vital signs monitor might rely on Bluetooth Low Energy to communicate with a mobile device, Wi-Fi for back-end data transfer and GNSS for location tracking during patient transport. Each of these wireless standards requires its own radio front end, often operating concurrently.
The problem is that there’s only so much space inside a handheld or wearable device. Each radio transceiver emits energy that can interfere with others, especially when antennas are placed too close together or insufficiently isolated. This is compounded by modern device constraints such as small PCB footprints, plastic or metal enclosures that detune antennas and the need to maintain low power consumption across all subsystems.
Why medical devices are especially vulnerable
Medical environments bring their own set of challenges when it comes to wireless coexistence. Unlike consumer devices where performance drops might be tolerated, medical systems need continuous and deterministic connectivity. Any disruption to a wireless infusion pump, patient monitor or telemetry unit can impact care or safety.
In addition to the complexity of internal radios, hospital environments are dense with wireless traffic from a range of medical systems and also from Wi-Fi networks, smartphones, visitor devices and more operating in the same frequency bands. Regulatory compliance adds another layer of design constraint. Medical devices must not emit unintended signals that interfere with other equipment, and must maintain immunity from the noise of their surroundings.
Managing coexistence with smart wireless engineering
Despite these challenges, reliable multi-protocol performance is achievable with the right design strategies. Here are three core techniques that engineers can apply.
Shared antennas
One effective solution is using shared antennas for wireless protocols that operate in the same frequency band. For example with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that both use the 2.4GHz spectrum. With proper switching and impedance matching, a single antenna can handle both signals efficiently, reducing mutual interference while saving space and cost. This approach is ideal for compact devices where antenna count must be minimised.
Frequency isolation
Where devices operate across different frequency bands like GNSS (1.5GHz), LTE (700–2700MHz), and Wi-Fi (2.4/5GHz) filtering is essential. High-rejection bandpass and notch filters can prevent signals from bleeding into adjacent bands, preserving signal integrity. Frequency isolation also involves board-level design decisions, such as separating RF front ends with grounded partitions and keeping high-speed traces apart.
Spatial separation
Where space allows, physical distance between antennas remains one of the most effective ways to minimise coupling and interference. Even a few centimetres can make a measurable difference in signal clarity. Ground planes, shielding techniques and careful orientation of antennas also contribute to improved coexistence performance, especially in larger devices like bedside monitors or mobile diagnostic carts.
Antenna integration with coexistence in mind
Mitigating coexistence issues starts early in the design cycle. Antenna selection, component layout, enclosure materials and even firmware-level radio timing can all influence how well wireless systems interact.
At Antenova, we design antenna solutions optimised for complex coexistence environments. Our products support dual and multi-band operation, show minimal detuning when placed near other components and are built for high-efficiency performance in compact medical devices. We also provide integration support to ensure antennas work seamlessly with your device architecture, reducing time-to-market and risk.
If you're developing a medical device that needs to perform in harsh RF environments, download our free guide below to help with your integration process. For more information on our products, check out our range of antennas here.
