Design and analysis of transmitter module for intra-body communication (IBC) based on health monitoring system / `Abdul Hakim Ayub, Abdul Karimi Halim and Abdul Hadi Abdul Razak

This paper presents the design and
development of a transmitter module for a Body Area Network
(BAN) health monitoring system based on Intra-Body
Communication. Intra-body Communication (IBC) is a
communication technique that uses the human body as a
medium for electrical signal communication. One of the visions
in the healthcare industry is to provide autonomous and
continuous self and the remote health monitoring system. This
can be achieved via BAN, LAN and WAN integration. The
BAN technology itself consists of short range data
communication modules, sensors, controller and actuators.
The information can be transmitted to the LAN and WAN via
the RF technology such as Bluetooth, ZigBee and ANT. There
are several limitation of the current RF technology in IBC
products such as high power consumption, low battery lifetime
and high electromagnetic interference signal attenuations. One
of the solutions for Medical Body Area Network (MBANs) to
overcome these issues is by using an IBC technique because it
can operate at lower frequencies and power consumption
compared to the existing techniques. The main objectives is to
design a low frequency IBC transmitter between range 21MHz
to 24MHz by using discreet component. The specifications of
the modules such as frequency, data rate, and modulation
system will be defined. The individual module been designed
and tested separately. The modules is integrated as an IBC
transmitter system and tested for functionality then
implemented on the PCB. The signals from the transmitter can
be viewed via external devices such as oscilloscope. The signals
such as heartbeats or pulses can also be displayed on LCD. In
conclusion, all the sub-modules ADC, shift register, and
modulation been tested in software simulation separately and
operate correctly. For hardware testing ADC and shift register
module work properly but BFSK modulator cannot produce
exact frequency.