Baseband Capacitive Body Area Network Transmitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing short-distance communication systems, such as RFID and near-field body area networks, face issues with selectivity, complexity, cost, and power consumption due to modulation requirements and instability of carrier waves, making them unsuitable for interactive and secure applications.
Innovation Solution
A baseband capacitive communication system using transmitters and receivers that encode information with binary symbols having auto-correlation and cross-correlation properties, allowing for simple and cost-effective transmission and reception without the need for modulation or demodulation circuits, and utilizing capacitive coupling for signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If modulation schemes are used for body area network communication, then information can be transmitted through capacitive coupling, but the complexity of modulator and demodulator increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the modulation and demodulation stages from the communication system. Instead of modulating carrier waves, the system directly transmits baseband signals through capacitive coupling, removing the complex modulator and demodulator circuits while maintaining information transmission capability through the body channel
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional communication approach by transmitting baseband signals directly without modulation. Rather than modulating information onto a carrier wave and then demodulating it at the receiver, the system sends unmodulated baseband signals through the capacitive channel, simplifying both transmitter and receiver design
2Reliability
If crystal generators are used to ensure carrier wave stability, then demodulation results improve, but the cost and mechanical robustness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes crystal generators and carrier wave generation circuits from the system. By eliminating modulation, the system no longer requires stable carrier waves or precision frequency control, thereby removing the need for expensive and mechanically fragile crystal oscillators while maintaining reliable communication
3Loss of information
If modulation-based communication is implemented, then signal transmission over body channel is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the power-hungry modulation and demodulation circuits from the system. By transmitting baseband signals directly through capacitive coupling without carrier wave generation and detection, the system significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining the ability to transmit information over the body channel
4Length of stationary object
If traditional RFID systems are used for short-distance communication, then detection range is extended, but selectivity and transport security deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by requiring direct capacitive coupling between transmitter and receiver through body contact. This creates a localized communication channel with high selectivity, where only devices in direct physical contact can communicate, providing both security and precision while limiting detection range to immediate contact points
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach results in a robust, low-cost, and low-power communication system with improved selectivity and reduced complexity, enabling secure and interactive communication over short distances without the need for complex modulation or demodulation, and allowing for the use of unique identifiers and sensor data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
wireless technology is disclosed that allows electronic devices on and near a human body to exchange digital information through near-field electrostatic coupling. Information is transmitted by modulating electric fields and capacitively coupling small currents into the body.
Data Source
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AI summary
A transmitter for communication via a body area network capacitive channel with a receiver, is adapted to transmit baseband signals over said channel towards said receiver while said receiver is adapted to receive and discriminate baseband signals from over said channel from said transmitter.