Wearable Computer Network Design using Dual-Role WUSB Clustering

Abstract

A recent major development in computer technology is the advent of the wearable computer system that is based on human-centric interface technology trends and ubiquitous computing environments. Wearable computer systems can be integrated with the wireless universal serial bus (WUSB) that refers to USB technology that is merged with WiMedia PHY/MAC technical specifications. A wireless body area network (WBAN) allows the integration of intelligent, miniaturized, low-power sensor nodes that monitor body functions and the surrounding environment. In this paper, we propose a method for multi-hop network extension of WUSB over WBAN protocol. Unlike a wired USB that physically separates the USB host and USB device, WUSB allows a device to separately function as both a WUSB host and WUSB device on a single transceiver; such devices are referred to as the dual role devices (DRD). By using this DRD function of WUSB protocol, we propose a WUSB clustering method to realize the multi-hop network extension of WUSB over WBAN protocol in wireless home networks. In the WUSB clustering method, a new DRD message format reserves 2-hop range private DRP (Distributed Reservation Protocol) resources. In the experiment results, efficiency of the WUSB clustering method is proven through throughput evaluation in viewpoints of medical and nonmedical multi-hop WBAN services.