Prototype ultra wideband-based wireless body area network--consideration of CAP and CFP slot allocation during human walking motion.

This paper presents an experimental evaluation of communication during human walking motion, using the medium access control (MAC) evaluation system for a prototype ultra-wideband (UWB) based wireless body area network for suitable MAC parameter settings for data transmission. Its physical layer and MAC specifications are based on the draft standard in IEEE802.15.6. This paper studies the effects of the number of retransmissions and the number of commands of GTS (guaranteed time slot) request packets in the CAP (contention access period) during human walking motion by varying the number of sensor nodes or the number of CFP (contention free period) slots in the superframe. The experiments were performed in an anechoic chamber. The number of packets received is decreased by packet loss caused by human walking motion in the case where 2 slots are set for CFP, regardless of the number of nodes, and this materially decreases the total number of packets received. The number of retransmissions and the GTS request commands increase according to increases in the number of nodes, largely reflecting the effects of the number of CFP slots in the case where 4 nodes are attached. In the cases where 2 or 3 nodes are attached and 4 slots are set for CFP, the packet transmission rate is more than 95%. In the case where 4 nodes are attached and 6 slots are set for CFP, the packet transmission rate is reduced to 88% at best.

Path-loss estimation of wireless channels in capsule endoscopy from X-ray CT images.

The paper describes an estimation method of path-loss for capsule endoscopy using wireless communications to send images from digestive tract. This method is based on the use of a set of X-ray computer tomography (CT) images of the patient. In order to evaluate this method, we conducted a measurement of received signal strength (RSS) by introducing a signal generator (SG) in esophagus and duodenum of a participant. As a result of comparisons, the method provides estimates on path-loss for the participant with estimation errors of less than 6 dB in 75% measurement positions.

Design of packet erasure mitigation technique using a digital fountain code for wearable wireless body area networks.

This paper presents a digital fountain code as a design criterion in order to mitigate packet erasure in wireless wearable body area networks (WBANs). First, we measure its radio propagation around the human body between two antennas attached to participants, and then analyze the measurement results from the standpoint of occurrence ratio of packet erasure. Then, we evaluate the application of digital fountain code into such WBANs where a rateless code is introduced as such code in order to provide a design criterion for the code.

Performance evaluation of wearable wireless body area networks during walking motions in 444.5 MHz and 2450 MHz.

This paper gives performance evaluation of wearable wireless body area networks (WBANs) during walking motion. In order to evaluate the performance, received signal strength (RSS), packet error rate (PER), and bit error rate (BER) are measured in an anechoic chamber and an office room. This measurement is conducted in the frequency band of 444.5 and 2450 MHz by using GFSK signal with symbol rate of 1 MHz. The results show that in the anechoic chamber the WBAN using the 444.5 MHz enables to provide error-free communication, on the other hand, the WBAN operated in the 2450 MHz faces packet errors. Measurement results in the office room give comparable performance between these frequencies. From these observations, the use of 2450 MHz for wearable WBANs needs reflection waves in order to compensate a shadowing effect caused by the human body using the WBAN.

Low-complexity video encoding method for wireless image transmission in capsule endoscope.

This paper presents a low-complexity video encoding method applicable for wireless image transmission in capsule endoscopes. This encoding method is based on Wyner-Ziv theory, in which side information available at a transmitter is treated as side information at its receiver. Therefore complex processes in video encoding, such as estimation of the motion vector, are moved to the receiver side, which has a larger-capacity battery. As a result, the encoding process is only to decimate coded original data through channel coding. We provide a performance evaluation for a low-density parity check (LDPC) coding method in the AWGN channel.

Utilizing electromagnetic shielding textiles in wireless body area networks.

For privacy and radio propagation controls, electromagnetic shielding textile could be adopted in WBANs. The effect of including a commercially available electromagnetic shielding apron in WBANs was examined in this paper. By having both the coordinator and the sensor covered by the shielding apron, signal could be confined around the body; however signal strength can be greatly influenced by body movements. Placing the shielding apron underneath both antennas, the transmission coefficient could be on average enhanced by at least 10dB, with less variation comparing to the case when apron does not exist. Shielding textiles could be utilized in designing a smart suit to enhance WBANs performance, and to prevent signals travelling beyond its intended area.

Performance evaluation of wireless communications through capsule endoscope.

This paper presents a performance evaluation of wireless communications applicable into a capsule endoscope. A numerical model to describe the received signal strength (RSS) radiated from a capsule-sized signal generator is derived through measurements in which a liquid phantom that has equivalent electrical constants is used. By introducing this model and taking into account the characteristics of its direction pattern of the capsule and propagation distance between the implanted capsule and on-body antenna, a cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the received SNR is evaluated. Then, simulation results related to the error ratio in the wireless channel are obtained. These results show that the frequencies of 611 MHz or lesser would be useful for the capsule endoscope applications from the view point of error rate performance. Further, we show that the use of antenna diversity brings additional gain to this application.

Wireless vital sign monitoring using ultra wideband-based personal area networks.

This paper presents a wireless vital sign monitoring system using IEEE802.15.4a standard based on ultra wideband (UWB) wireless communications. The vital signs are categorized into continuous and routine vital signs; the continuous signs include electrocardiogram (ECG), and the routine ones cover blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and body temperature. To conduct both tasks simultaneously, a superframe structure is optimized to minimize the delay time of packet transmission through computer simulation. Results showed that IEEE802.15.4a standard has capability to together monitor both single continuous sign and multiple routine signs simultaneously.