Body Sensor Network RF Attenuation Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional body sensor networks face reliability issues due to RF attenuation caused by the human body, leading to poor data transmission between on-body sensors and off-body monitoring devices, especially at frequencies above 1 GHz, as conventional approaches are either reactive or precautionary and do not effectively anticipate or prevent communication failures.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining the inclination and location of on-body sensors relative to the off-body monitoring device, allowing for predictive routing of data via alternative on-body sensors to maintain reliable communication, using inclination sensors like accelerometers and magnetometers, and classifying data delivery routes as 'reliable', 'medium', or 'unreliable' to select optimal transmission paths based on posture and location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data is transmitted at frequencies above 2 GHz to achieve high data transmission rates and suitable licensing costs, then data transmission rate is improved, but RF attenuation increases due to human body blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of link conditions using packet or bit error rates, received signal strength, or other signal quality metrics before transmission degradation occurs. When adverse conditions are detected, countermeasures are proactively implemented to maintain communication reliability while operating at high frequencies above 2 GHz.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts transmission parameters based on real-time link conditions. This includes dynamic link adaptation and dynamic power management to adjust transmit power levels, and dynamic rate scaling to modify data rates, ensuring optimal balance between transmission rate and reliability under varying body blocking conditions.
2Reliability
If reactive countermeasures are used to address RF attenuation after link degradation is detected, then communication reliability is maintained, but information loss occurs before countermeasures are applied
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors link quality metrics in advance to detect early signs of degradation. By identifying adverse conditions before they cause significant data loss, the system can proactively switch to alternative routes or adjust transmission parameters to prevent information loss while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from packet error rates, bit error rates, and received signal strength measurements to continuously assess link conditions. This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect degradation trends and implement countermeasures before critical failure occurs, minimizing information loss.
3Reliability
If transmit power is permanently increased to ensure better signal at receiving device, then communication reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic power management that adjusts transmit power levels based on real-time link conditions and quality metrics. Power is increased only when and where needed to maintain reliability, rather than permanently across all conditions, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while ensuring communication reliability when required.
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 minimizes RF attenuation effects by anticipating and preventing communication failures, improving the reliability of body sensor networks and extending their operating time without overloading wireless channels, while being compatible with other existing methods like packet retransmissions and dynamic link adaptation.
Implementation Method 1
determining the inclination of this on-body sensor relative to the off-body monitoring device
Implementation Method 2
transmitting data related to the sensed vital parameter to the off-body monitoring device
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of monitoring a plurality of vital parameters of a patient 10 using a body sensor network with a set of on-body sensors 1 and at least one off-body monitoring device 2, the method comprising the following steps: with each on-body sensor 1, sensing a vital parameter and transmitting data related to the sensed vital parameter to the off-body monitoring device 2, and for at least one of the on-body sensors 1, determining the inclination of this on-body sensor 1 relative to the off-body monitoring device 2. In this way, a reliable and easy to use possibility for monitoring vital parameters of a patient 10 using a body sensor network is provided that minimizes the performance problem produced by RF attenuation caused by the body of the patient 10.