Abstract
Several on-body sensing and communication applications use electrodes in contact with the human body. Body–electrode interfaces in these cases act as a transducer, converting ionic current in the body to electronic current in the sensing and communication circuits and vice versa. An ideal body–electrode interface should have the characteristics of an electrical short, i.e., the transfer of ionic currents and electronic currents across the interface should happen without any hindrance. However, practical body–electrode interfaces often have definite impedances and potentials that hinder the free flow of currents, affecting the application’s performance. Minimizing the impact of body–electrode interfaces on the application’s performance requires one to understand the physics of such interfaces, how it distorts the signals passing through it, and how the interface-induced signal degradations affect the applications. Our work deals with reviewing these elements in the context of biopotential sensing and human body communication.
Highlights
Both biopotential sensing and human body communication (HBC) use electrodes in contact with the body
Rectifying or minimizing the impact of practical body–electrode interfaces on the applications of the above kind requires one to understand the details of the following elements—the physics of the body–electrode interface, how the interface distorts the signals passing through it, and how the interface-induced signal degradations affect the sensing of biopotential signals and HBC
This section first discusses the physics of the body–electrode interfaces for two different cases: (i) implanted electrodes that are in direct contact with body fluids and (ii) surface electrodes that reside on the skin’s surface
Summary
Both biopotential sensing and human body communication (HBC) use electrodes in contact with the body. Unlike radiative communication that uses airwaves, HBC, electro-quasistatic HBC (EQS-HBC), couple signals and confine them within the human body [14]. The signal is present anywhere on the body surface and can be received from any location on the body. This leads to similarities between biopotential sensing and HBC, albeit at different frequencies, in terms of how they use the body–electrode interface. Nanomaterials 2021, 11, 2152 contact, resulting in the flow of electrons in the electrode, wire, and connected electronic circuit. The process reverses when current flows from the electrode to the body
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
