Title: UWB channel modelling for wireless body area networks in a hospital

Authors: Attaphongse Taparugssanagorn, Carlos Pomalaza-Raez, Ari Isola, Raffaello Tesi, Matti Hamalainen, Jari Iinatti

Addresses: University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4500, FI-90014, Finland. ' University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4500, FI-90014, Finland. ' University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4500, FI-90014, Finland. ' University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4500, FI-90014, Finland. ' University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4500, FI-90014, Finland. ' University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4500, FI-90014, Finland

Abstract: This paper describes an experimental study of the ultra wideband (UWB) wireless body area network (WBAN) channel in a hospital environment. The measured data are used to develop statistical models for the channel, which can then be used to design efficient and safe communication networks. WBANs are expected to be used in the healthcare field to enable concepts such as telemedicine. The human body has a complex shape and consists of different tissues. It is then expected that the propagation of the electromagnetic waves near a patient|s body will have unique characteristics. In a hospital environment, there are also a variety of electronic devices and specialised medical equipment, which have impact on the electromagnetic propagation. To properly design WBANs is then necessary to have a good understanding of the characteristics of the radio channel in the proximity of the human body within a hospital.

Keywords: medical information technology; medical communications technology; MICT; telemedicine; body-centric wireless communications; medical wireless sensors; e-health; electronic healthcare; wireless body area networks; WBAN design; wireless BANs; wireless networks; hospitals; network design; radio channels.

DOI: 10.1504/IJUWBCS.2010.034304

International Journal of Ultra Wideband Communications and Systems, 2010 Vol.1 No.4, pp.226 - 236

Published online: 31 Jul 2010 *

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