Abstract
Body sensor networks (BSN) are an important research topic due to various advantages over conventional measurement equipment. One main advantage is the feasibility to deploy a BSN system for 24/7 health monitoring applications. The requirements for such an application are miniaturization of the network nodes and the use of wireless data transmission technologies to ensure wearability and ease of use. Therefore, the reliability of such a system depends on the quality of the wireless data transmission. At present, most BSNs use ZigBee or other IEEE 802.15.4 based transmission technologies. Here, we evaluated the performance of a wireless transmission system of a novel BSN for biomedical applications in the 433 MHz ISM band, called Integrated Posture and Activity NEtwork by Medit Aachen (IPANEMA) BSN. The 433 MHz ISM band is used mostly by implanted sensors and thus allows easy integration of such into the BSN. Multiple measurement scenarios have been assessed, including varying antenna orientations, transmission distances and the number of network participants. The mean packet loss rate (PLR) was 0.63% for a single slave, which is comparable to IEEE 802.15.4 BSNs in the proximity of Bluetooth or WiFi networks. Secondly, an enhanced version is evaluated during on-body measurements with five slaves. The mean PLR results show a comparable good performance for measurements on a treadmill (2.5%), an outdoor track (3.4%) and in a climate chamber (1.5%).
Highlights
Body Sensor Networks (BSNs) have been investigated for more than a decade [1] and an increasing number of groups are exploring new applications for Body sensor networks (BSN) [2,3]
We present the evaluation of novel wireless data transmission of a BSN in the 433 MHz
We have evaluated the wireless transmission system of a novel BSN working in the 433 MHz ISM
Summary
Body Sensor Networks (BSNs) have been investigated for more than a decade [1] and an increasing number of groups are exploring new applications for BSNs [2,3]. The impact of demographic changes and increasing costs of medical care place a large economic burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Due to their versatility and mobility, BSNs offer new solutions for personal healthcare, without loss of quality of treatment [9]. A body sensor is an enabling technology to sense the context of a user
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