Modeling of Respiratory Virus Transmission Using Single-Input- Multiple-Output Molecular Communication Techniques

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Respiratory diseases pose a significant threat to global public health, as exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Molecular communication (MC), as a new method in communication systems, provides a framework for the modeling of diseases. Current studies, however, largely restrict MC models to transmission scenarios involving a single source and single receiver, leaving scenarios with multiple receivers insufficiently explored. This study investigates respiratory virus transmission through air, applying a single-input-multiple-output (SIMO) MC model to analyze the in vitro transmission process. In this context, a COVID-19-positive individual can transmit the virus to multiple recipients, modeled as a SIMO MC system where the affected person is the transmitter, susceptible individuals are receivers, and the intervening air serves as the communication channel. A theoretical model is developed to elucidate the virus transmission process, yielding foundational analytical expressions for the absorption probability. Numerical data validate the model and reveal factors influencing the cumulative reception probability. The results indicate that both the distance and angle between the transmitter and receiver significantly impact the absorption probability, which decreases with increasing distance and angle. Optimal absorption occurs when the receiver is directly in front of the emitter. These findings introduce a new perspective on viral transmission mechanisms and provide a scientific basis for future prevention and control measures.