A Finite-Element Simulation of Galvanic Coupling Intra-Body Communication Based on the Whole Human Body

Yong Song,Kai Zhang,Qun Hao,Jingwen Wang,Fuzhou Shang,Lanxin Hu

doi:10.3390/s121013567

Abstract

Simulation based on the finite-element (FE) method plays an important role in the investigation of intra-body communication (IBC). In this paper, a finite-element model of the whole body model used for the IBC simulation is proposed and verified, while the FE simulation of the galvanic coupling IBC with different signal transmission paths has been achieved. Firstly, a novel finite-element method for modeling the whole human body is proposed, and a FE model of the whole human body used for IBC simulation was developed. Secondly, the simulations of the galvanic coupling IBC with the different signal transmission paths were implemented. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed method was verified by using in vivo measurements within the frequency range of 10 kHz–5 MHz, whereby some important conclusions were deduced. Our results indicate that the proposed method will offer significant advantages in the investigation of the galvanic coupling intra-body communication.

Highlights

Intra-body communication (IBC) is a technology that involves using the human body as a transmission medium for electrical signals [1]
The electrical signal is applied over a pair of transmitting electrodes and thereby establishes an electrical field, and it is received by the receiver over a pair of receiving electrodes
Miniaturized electrodes can be used in this approach, galvanic coupling intra-body communication (IBC) is presented as a promising approach for data communication within the human body

Summary

Introduction

Intra-body communication (IBC) is a technology that involves using the human body as a transmission medium for electrical signals [1]. Galvanic coupling IBC is an important approach to achieve the signal transmission within the human body [5,6]. In this approach, signal transmission is achieved by coupling signal currents galvanically into the human body. Miniaturized electrodes can be used in this approach, galvanic coupling IBC is presented as a promising approach for data communication within the human body

Methods

Results

Conclusion