CBM341- BODY AREA NETWORK
Unit I: Introduction to Body Area Networks (BAN)
1. Definition and Concept
• A Body Area Network (BAN), also known as a Wireless Body Area
Network (WBAN) or Medical Body Area Network (MBAN), is a wireless
network of wearable and/or implantable computing devices.
• These devices can be embedded inside the body as implants/pills,
surface-mounted in fixed positions, or carried in pockets or bags.
• The field is interdisciplinary, enabling inexpensive and continuous
health monitoring with real-time medical record updates via the
Internet.
• The concept relies on physiological sensors, low-power integrated
circuits, and wireless communication to monitor health statuses
regardless of patient location.
2. BAN and Healthcare
• Continuous Monitoring: BANs represent the evolution of diagnostic
tools, moving from manual devices like the stethoscope to platforms that
monitor physical and biochemical parameters continuously.
• Chronic Disease Management:
◦ Hypertension: Allows regular daily monitoring of blood pressure to
control risk factors.
◦ Diabetes: Uses sensors to monitor glucose levels and can form a
"closed feedback loop" with insulin pumps to act as an artificial
pancreas.
• Hospital and Elderly Care:
◦ In hospitals, BANs automate the measurement of vital signs (ECG,
heart rate, temperature) and can track patient movement to streamline
workflow.
◦ For the elderly, BANs allow for unobtrusive monitoring at home,
detecting early signs of illness like decreased appetite or reduced
movement, potentially preventing hospital admissions.
3. Technical Challenges
• Sensor Design: Focuses on MEMS integration, miniaturization, and
the development of nano-engineered sensors (e.g., fluorescent hydrogel
for glucose monitoring).
• Biocompatibility: Implantable sensors must overcome issues of long-
term stability and ensure they do not cause adverse reactions (e.g.,
pacemakers and ICDs).
• Energy Supply: Power consumption is a critical factor; strategies
include using micro-fuel cells, power harvesting from body
heat/vibration, and low-power wireless data paths.
• Optimal Node Placement: The placement of the Body Node
Coordinator (BNC) is an optimization problem often solved using
Genetic Algorithms (GA) to maximize network lifetime and data
security.
• System Security and Reliability: BANs require lightweight
cryptography due to limited computational resources and must protect
sensitive patient privacy.
4. BAN Architecture
• Communication Types: Includes in-body (between implants, often
using MICS band) and on-body (between wearables, using ISM or UWB
bands).
• Tiered Structure:
◦ WBAN Part: Low-power sensor nodes on the person.
◦ Central Control Unit (CCU): A data hub (like a smartphone) that
receives signals from nodes.
◦ Gateway: Transfers data to remote stations via GSM/3G/4G.
◦ Control Center: Stores user information in databases for physician
assessment.
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Unit II: Hardware for BAN
1. Processors
• Low Power Microcontroller Units (MCUs): Preferred for BAN due to
size and power constraints.
◦ Atmel ATmega 128L: An 8-bit MCU with 128KB flash, widely used in
sensor platforms for its integrated ADCs.
◦ TI MSP430: A 16-bit RISC processor known for ultra-low power
consumption (3mW active, 15uW sleep).
• Mobile Computing MCUs: Used when high processing power is
required (e.g., video monitoring).
◦ Intel PXA271 (iMote2): Features 32MB SDRAM/Flash and an MMX
coprocessor to accelerate multimedia operations.
• Integrated Processors: Combine a processor with a radio
transceiver (e.g., Berkeley Spec) to reduce board size and complexity.
2. Memory
• Storage Needs: Memory stores sensor readings, patient records, and
communication buffers.
• Types:
◦ Non-Volatile: Flash or EEPROM for critical data and firmware.
◦ Volatile: SRAM or DRAM for temporary processing.
• Management: Requires wear-leveling for flash memory and error-
correction to handle electromagnetic interference.
3. Antennas
• PCB Antenna: Integrated directly onto the board; types include Loop,
Patch, and Inverted-F.
• Wire Antenna: Simple and cost-effective (e.g., Dipole, Monopole,
Helical); length is usually a multiple of the half-wavelength.
• Ceramic Antenna: Small spatial requirements, durable, and resistant
to environmental factors, making them ideal for compact wearables.
• External Antenna: Offers better performance and isolation from
internal interference but may impact user mobility.
4. Sensor Interface
• Involves circuitry like amplifiers, filters, and ADCs to connect
biological or motion sensors to the processing unit.
• Requires power-saving techniques like duty cycling and data fusion
algorithms to combine inputs from multiple sensors.
5. Power Sources
• Batteries: Common choices include Lithium-ion (Li-ion) and
Lithium-polymer (LiPo); selection depends on capacity, weight, and
rechargeability.
• Fuel Cells: Hydrogen or methanol fuel cells offer longer operational
lifetimes than batteries but are often bulkier due to reactant storage