UWB in-body propagation and radio channel characteristics for wireless body area network applications

Thesis event information

Date and time of the thesis defence

Place of the thesis defence

University of Oulu: https://oulu.zoom.us/j/310762905

Topic of the dissertation

UWB in-body propagation and radio channel characteristics for wireless body area network applications

Doctoral candidate

Licentiate of Science (Technology) Mariella Särestöniemi

Faculty and unit

University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Centre for Wireless Communications

Subject of study

Telecommunications

Opponent

Associate Professor Kamran Sayrafian, National Institute of Standards &Technology Information Technology Laboratory, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA

Custos

Professor Jari Iinatti, Centre for Wireless Communications, Oulun yliopisto

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UWB in-body propagation and radio channel characteristics for wireless body area network applications

Recently, interest in medical and health monitoring systems has increased significantly, since these have the potential to address some of the challenges related to the aging population. Furthermore, medical monitoring enhances diagnosis and medical treatments in hospitals. New self and remote diagnosis and monitoring solutions are being developed and implemented constantly. Smooth design of monitoring devices requires deep knowledge of off-body, on-body, and in-body propagation.

This thesis presents studies on in-body propagation for different wireless body area network (WBAN) applications. The main focuses are on 1) survey of the electromagnetic (EM) simulation techniques used in WBAN applications, 2) in-body propagation in the human chest area, and 3) in-body propagation in the human abdomen area.

The study is carried out using radio channel measurements, finite integration technique -based channel simulations, as well as propagation path calculations. Part 2 involves studies on the impact that medical implants, which contain highly conductive materials, may have impact on channel characteristics. Sternotomy wires and an aortic valve implant are considered as example cases. This knowledge is useful for the design of monitoring devices in which the antennas are located on the chest area, especially close to the sternum. Part 3 shows how signal propagates inside the abdomen preferring the tissues which are easier for propagation due to their dielectric properties. This knowledge is useful for abdominal monitoring system design, especially antenna location design, for instance in capsule endoscopy. Part 3 also involves studies of the channel evaluations between the receiving on-body antenna and the capsule endoscope in different parts of the intestine area. Human voxels with different sizes and body constitutions are used in this study.

In general, the results presented in this thesis provide new information on the propagation within the tissues, which is useful for designing monitoring devices for different WBAN applications.
Last updated: 1.3.2023