Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2012 Nov 27;12(12):16433-50.
doi: 10.3390/s121216433.

Study of channel characteristics for galvanic-type intra-body communication based on a transfer function from a quasi-static field model

Xi Mei Chen  1 , Peng Un Mak, Sio Hang Pun, Yue Ming Gao, Chan-Tong Lam, Mang I Vai, Min Du
Affiliations

Study of channel characteristics for galvanic-type intra-body communication based on a transfer function from a quasi-static field model

Xi Mei Chen et al. Sensors (Basel). .

Abstract

Intra-Body Communication (IBC), which modulates ionic currents over the human body as the communication medium, offers a low power and reliable signal transmission method for information exchange across the body. This paper first briefly reviews the quasi-static electromagnetic (EM) field modeling for a galvanic-type IBC human limb operating below 1 MHz and obtains the corresponding transfer function with correction factor using minimum mean square error (MMSE) technique. Then, the IBC channel characteristics are studied through the comparison between theoretical calculations via this transfer function and experimental measurements in both frequency domain and time domain. High pass characteristics are obtained in the channel gain analysis versus different transmission distances. In addition, harmonic distortions are analyzed in both baseband and passband transmissions for square input waves. The experimental results are consistent with the calculation results from the transfer function with correction factor. Furthermore, we also explore both theoretical and simulation results for the bit-error-rate (BER) performance of several common modulation schemes in the IBC system with a carrier frequency of 500 kHz. It is found that the theoretical results are in good agreement with the simulation results.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Illustration of galvanic-type IBC geometry on the human limb.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
In-vivo IBC channel gain experiment: (a) General block diagram and (b) Simplified experimental flow chart.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Calculated and measured transfer function characteristic of (a) Subject A; (b) Subject B.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Measured and calculated (with correction) transfer function characteristic of (a) subject A; (b) subject B.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
IBC channel baseband and passband transmission experiment set-ups: (a) General block diagram; (b) Flow chart for baseband transmission experiment; and (c) Flow chart for passband transmission experiment.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Input and Output of baseband IBC transmission for 500 Hz square wave: (a) S = 6 cm; (b) S = 11cm.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Input and Output (after demodulation) in passband IBC transmission for square wave: (a) 500 Hz square wave at S = 6 cm. (b) 500 Hz square wave at S = 11 cm. (c) 50 kHz square wave at S = 6 cm (d) 50 kHz square wave at S = 11 cm.
Figure 8.
Figure 8.
Performance of BPSK, QPSK and 8PSK versus data rate in simulation and theory at S = 11 cm.
Figure 9.
Figure 9.
Performance of BPSK, QPSK and 8PSK versus SNR in simulation and theory at S = 11 cm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Marinkovic S., Popovici E. Ultra low power signal oriented approach for wireless health monitoring. Sensors. 2012;12:7917–7937. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Taranovich S. Medical sensors encompass biomedical electronics. EDN. 2011;56:35–42.
    1. Li H.B., Kohno R. Body area network and its standardization at IEEE 802.15. BAN. In: István F., Janos B., Péter B., editors. Advances in Mobile and Wireless Communications. Springer-Verlag; Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany: 2008. pp. 223–238.
    1. Lucev Z., Krois I., Cifrek M. Intrabody communication in biotelemetry. In: Lay-Ekuakille A., Mukhopadhyay S.C., editors. Wearable and Autonomous Biomedical Devices and Systems for Smart Environment: Issues and Characterization. Springer-Verlag; Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany: 2010. pp. 351–368.
    1. Lay-Ekuakille A., Vendramin G., Trotta A., Mazzotta G. Thermoelectric generator design based on power from body heat for biomedical autonomous devices. Proceedings of 2009 IEEE International Workshop on Medical Measurements and Applications; Cetraro, Italy. 29–30 May 2009; pp. 1–4.

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources