Selection of appropriate e-textile structure manufacturing process prior to sensor integration using AHP

A combined two-staged analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was proposed with respect to its compatibility in selection of e-textile architecture. Specifically, it was examined in its ability to support decision in determination of appropriate e-textile structures prior to sensor integration. The e-textile structure selection methodology for sensor integration was implemented by interviewing with the experts from the fields of textiles and electronics; hence, it was constructed as two-staged methodology including both experimental study and AHP. In this respect, different e-textile structures including transmission lines containing 15 different conductive yarn types with three different weave types were manufactured via weaving technology in the first stage as experimental part of the methodology, and then, in the second stage, the alternatives based on experimental study were evaluated using AHP. The comparisons were made using priority scales assigned by expert team and synthesized to get aggregated global ratings. In conclusion, appropriate e-textile structures based on weaving manufacturing technology for sensor integration were chosen using AHP technique by ranking alternatives.