UNIT 111

WIRELESS HEALTH SYSTEMS

Need for wireless monitoring, Definition of Body area network, BAN and

Healthcare, Technical Challenges- System security and reliability, BAN Architecture —

Introduction, Wireless communication Techniques.

3.1. INTRODUCTION

Wireless health system is the integration of wireless technology into traditional medicine,

such as diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of illness, as well as other tools that can help

individuals improve their personal health and wellbeing. Wireless health differs

from mHealth in that wireless health solutions will not always be mobile and mobile health

solutions will not always be wirelessly enabled. Mobile broadband connectivity is useful in

reaching new patients in remote areas while improving productivity and convenience

through data transmission.

Enabling Technologies

+ Bluetooth low energy,

+ BodyLAN (BodyLAN is a low-power wireless networking protocol that transmits data

from medical and fitness devices),

+ ANT+ (ANT+ is a wireless networking protocol that allows communication between

multiple sensors and devices, designed for wireless sensor networks that require low-

energy consumption and Iow data transmission.),

+ Zarlink,

Examples

Cardionet's 3G-enabIed wireless service line, Mobile Cardiac Outpatient Telemetry

(MCOT) allows for immediate arrythmia detection.

Dexcom makes glucose sensing technologies with an FDA-approved product that

enables users to manage diabetes with real-time glucose information and trends that can

detect potentially dangerous glucose levels.

makes connected activity monitors, weight scales and blood pressure monitors

with software to gather and analyze personal health data.

Entra Health Systems makes integrated bluetooth-enabled, WiFi, and Cellular blood

glucose meters that work with an online data collection network to upload and report
patient blood glucose readings.

Wearable Devices

' + A weight management system consistingofan annbandandanonline Activity Manager

that automatically tracks activity and sleep. Used in combination with a food log, the

system provides a complete picture ofthe three components of weight loss: calories in,

calories out and sleep quality.

EMRIHIS

VinCense Wearable

MnCense Mobile app

BLE (Bluetooth Low

Energy)

Wifi/Data

SMS with GPS info

Fig. 3.1.

VinCense

Web Interface

Remote Monitoring

3.2. NEED FOR WIRELESS MONITORING

•9

A wireless health monitoring system, also known as a patient monitoring system or

wireless Health wearables, includes remotely monitoring a patient's vital signs using

devices that wirelessly coinmunicate patient data to remote places.

The use of communication equipment in healthcare reduces the challenge faced by

medical professionals in simultaneously monitoring several patients.

It allows them to keep an eye on patients without needing to be physically present at

their bedside, whether in a hospital or at home.

The -devices use a wide range of sensors to monitor the patient's vitals, including heart

rate, body temperature, ECG, respiration, non-invasive blood pressure, oxygen

saturation, and so on.

The use of wireless health monitoring eliminates geographic barriers to obtaining

specialist care.
Wireless health monitors not only send crucial physiological signs to medical workeß

but also make measuring easier, increasing patient monitoring efficiency.

It also reduces measurement time and aids in receiving care at the optimal time during

an emergency, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes.

Wireless Health Systems

3.3

During treatment, it is critical to keep track of the patient's. health. As a result, even in

rural locations, the wireless health monitoring system plays a critical role in providing

high-quality care to patients.

The wireless health monitoring system provides healthcare providers with real-time

actionable data in a user-centered interface, allowing them to closely monitor high

dependency patients like postoperative, step down, and rehab patients. As a result, it

aids in the transformation of healthcare delivery and management at a Iow cost.

+ Wireless monitoring through wearable devices could be useful for hospitalized patients,

particularlythosewhoareunstableorathigherriskforseriouscomplicationssuchascritically

ill patients. The use of wireless monitoring in the ICU setting.

Wireless sensor network (WSN) technologies have the potential to change our lifestyle

with different applications in fields such as healthcare, entertainment, travel, retail,

- industry, dependent care and emergency management, in addition to many other areas.

+ The combination of wireless sensors and sensor networks with computing and artificial

intelligence research have built a cross-disciplinary concept of ambient intelligence in

order to overcome the challenges we face in everyday life.

3.3. DEFINITION OF BODY AREA NETWORK

A body area network (BAN), also referred to as a wireless body area

network (WBAN) or a body sensor network (BSN) or a medical body area

network (MBAN), is a wireless network of wearable computing devices.

BAN devices may be embedded inside the body as implants or pills, may

be surface-mounted on the body in a fixed position, or may be accompanied

devices which humans can carry in different positions, such as in clothes pockets,

by hand, or in various bags.

Devices are becoming smaller, especially in body area networks. These networks
include multiple small body sensor units (BSUs) and a single central unit (BCU).

Despite this trend, decimeter (tab and pad) sized smart devices still play an

important role. They act as data hubs or gateways and provide a user iliterface for

yiewing and managing BAN applications on the spot.

The development of WBAN technology started around 1995 around the idea of

using wireless personal area network (WPAN) technologies to implement

communications on, near, and around the human body.

About six years later, the term "BAN" came to refer to systems where

communication is entirely within, on, and in the immediate proximity ofa human

body.

Wearable Devices

3.4

•+ A WBAN system can use WPAN wireless technologies as gateways to reach longer

ranges. Through gateway devices, it is possible to connect the wearable devices on the

human body to the internet This way, medical professionals can access patient data

online using the internet independent of the patient location.

+ Body AreaNetwork (BAN) technology uses small, low power wireless devices that can

be carried or embedded inside or on the body. Applications include but are not limited

to:

Health and wellness monitoring

• Sports training (e.g., to measure performance)

• Personalized medicine (e.g., heart monitors)

• Personal safety(e.g., fall detection)

A number of wireless BAN communication technologies have been implemented based

on the existing radio technologies. However, if BAN technology is to achieve its full

potential, it needs a more specific and dedicated technology, which is optimized for

BAN.

+ For example, solutions for monitoring people during exercise one or two hours a day, or

a few days a week, may not be suitable for 24/7 monitoring as a part of the Internet of

Things (IOT) concept.

Concept of BAN:
•9

The rapid growth in physiological sensors, Iow-power integrated circuits, and wireless

communication has enabled a new generation of wireless sensor networks, now used for

purposes such as monitoring traffic, crops, infrastructure, and health.

The body area network field is an interdisciplinary area which could allow inexpensive

and continuous health. monitoring with real-time updates of medical records through the

Internet.

A number of intelligent physiological sensors can be integrated into a wearable wireless

body area network, which can be used for computer-assisted rehabilitation or early

detection of medical conditions.

This area relies on the feasibility of implanting very small biosensors inside the human

body that are comfortable and that don't impair normal activities.

The implanted sensors in the human body will collect various physiological changes in

order to monitor the patient's health status no matter their location.

The information will be transmitted wirelessly to an external processing unit. This

device will instantly transmit all information in real time to the doctors throughout the

world.

If an emergency is detected, the physicians will immediately inform the patient through

the computer system by sending appropriate messages or alarms.

Wearable Devices

3.6

+ Usage of the 2360-2390 MHz frequencies are restricted to indoor operation at health.

care facilities and are subject to registration and site approval by coordinators to protect

aeronautical telemetry primary usage.

+ operation in the 2390-2400 MHz band is not subject to registration or coordination and

may be used in all areas including residential.

3.4. BAN AND HEALTHCARE

Recent advances in microelectronics and wireless networking are moving closer to

turning devices once thought of as science fiction into clinical reality.

Ultra-small medical sensors/actuators can be either worn or implanted inside the body

to collect or deliver a variety of Inedical information and services.

The networking ability between these body devices and also possible integration with

existing IT infrastructure could result into a pervasive environment that can convey

health-related information between the user's location and the healthcare service

provider.

This flexibility for greater physical mobility (i.e. mHealth) directly translates into a

significantly higher heålth:are experience; and therefore, higher quality of life.

Body Area Network (BAN) is a technology that allows communication between ultra-

small and ultra Iow-power intelligent sensors/devices that are located on the body

surface or implanted inside the body.

In addition, the wearable/implantable nodes can communicate to a controller device that

is located in the vicinity of the body. These radio-enabled sensors can be used to

continuously gather a variety of important health and/or physiological data.

Radio- enabled implantable medical devices offer a revolutionary set of applications

among which we can point to smart pills for precision drug delivery, intelligent

endoscope capsules, glucose monitors and eye pressure sensing systems.

Similarly, wearable sensors allow for various medical/physiological monitoring (e.g.

electrocardiogram, temperature, respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure), disability

assistance, human performance management, etc.

Wearable devices that work outside the confines of the hospital without expert medical

assistance must fulfill a number of characteristics:

• Usability: The device has to be worn on a continuous basis and must therefore be

small and lightweight. The challenge is to compress the device size down.

e Power consumption: The device should have low power consumption, reducing

the need for frequent re-charging and disruptions in monitoring.

and

• Design: The device must be elegant without the need to attach long wires

electrodes from the device to the patient and from the device to the mobile

gateway that transmits data (to the remote medical care unit).

Health Systems

3.7

Cost: If a patient is required to purchase the unit, it should cost sub US$200 to be
affordable or for the hospital to give it away free as part of medical care.

Devices that fulfill these conditions can expect to become popular. Manufacturers will

find that users are able to easily integrate such devices into their daily lives for

naximum benefit.

The typical set of parameters that the device must monitor include heart activity, fetal

heart rate, skin resistance, skin temperature, refractive index of blood etc. Based on

what the device is required to measure and monitor, its components would include:

Bio sensors: Application specific bio sensors that emit signals indicating

measured parameters

Analog-to-digital converters: Application specific analog front end to digitize

the sensor signals. The device may also be equipped with signal conditioning

circuitry.

General purpose microcontroller: To process signals for the device to function.

Signals could indicate battery levels, failure, etc. or signals received from

accelerometer, displays and switches, memory and connectivity solutions.

Wireless interface: In most instances, the device will connect to a mobile

gateway over a Body Area Network (BAN) or the newer Bluetooth LE (Iow

energy) suitable for continuous transfer of medical data.

Memory: In modern wearable devices, the data is sent in real-time to a mobile

gateway (smart phone or a tablet) and then to the patient's remote health care

provider. These devices can also store data in off line mode, synchronizing the

data when the device goes online.

Power management: The device design must ensure that energy consumption is

minimized for longer uninterrupted device deployment and stand by time.

Body Area Networks: Main Features and Requirements

A BAN is an evolution of a wireless sensor network (WSN). WSNs were first used for

Personal devices like cellphones, laptops, and cameras. These devices form a personal area

network (PAN). The same concept is applied to a BAN. A BAN is a network of nodes with

sensors and actuators which communicate with each other.

In addition to addressing aspects related to the lower layers of the OSI model, the design

of BAN solutions should consider many general requirements such as safety, privacy and
security and sustainability to ensure proper operation. However, in order to provide the best

user experience, there are other aspects, e.g., quality of service and usability, which should

be considered as well.

+ safety: These types of networks, which are in direct contact with the body, must be

designed to ensure they are safe for the end user. Hence, this is a critical point in the

development of BAN devices, especially when medical applications are being

developed, as Parameters are measured in sensitive parts.

Wearable Devices

3.8

+ Privacy and security: BAN applications collect a great amount of sensitive

information that must only be accessible •to authorized people. Unauthorized use of

private information may lead to abuse and discrimination. BAN solutions that have

access or generate sensitive information need to implement authentication and

encryption. However, security policies should not overhead the energy consumption of

the BAN nodes.

+ Sustainability: Finding a balance between energy consumption and energy source is

mandatory in BAN products. Energy supply must be available when required to achieve

a good performance of the BAN solution. Energy-supply models are divided into two

groups: (I) the node is supplied directly by the harvesting energy source (SSCS), and

(2) the harvesting source saves energy into a battery and the battery supplies energy to

the node (SBCS). SSCS involves connecting the energy' source (solar panel, wind

turbine, etc.) to the computing unit without any. energy storage in between.

configuration must be calibrated to match the power supply and the demand in order to

be sustainable. The SBCS uses a battery to store energy for later use, which is useful in

situations where the power supply is not available at any time, like solar power in the

night. In SBCS, the energy' generated must be in balance with the energr that the battery

can store to reduce waste. Testing the energy consumption of nodes helps to choose the

correct energy source needed for the deployment.

•3 Quality of service: Each type of BAN application has a different definition of quality

of service (QOS) depending on the services offered. Some elements to measure QoS are

latency, jitters, and bandwidth of the network, stats of data transmission, errors and
useful information sent in a period of time. In any case, QoS includes adaptability,

timeliness, reliability, robustness and credibility for most applications. QoS can be

separated into two cases, namely application and network. The application perspective

refers to the quality of the user interface (UI). The UI must be understandable and meet

all the user's requirements. The network case measures the quality of the application'S

information provider (latency, reliability, error management, etc.).

Usability: This is another requirement that has to be Considered when developing BAN

applications. Usability refers to how easily a person without information and

communication technology (ICT) knowledge sets up the solution.

Body area network in Health care:

Many high-level architectures have been proposed for health monitoring systems that

employ sets of wearable sensors and their supporting communication and information

storage networks

The most common system-level, functional architecture includes

l. a network of sensors on the body that stores its data to a wearable or handheld

data logger/hub that then communicates wirelessly with a local base station or

Intemet gateway,

'Wireless Health Systems

2. a central command center that receives data from these gateways, and

3.9

3. a network backbone .infrastructure that facilitates the exchange of information

between the command center and the appropriate medical service centers.

While issues such as security and reliability as addressed in this chapter apply to all

three levels of network communication, this chapter focuses on wireless technologies

for the BANs themselves.

This is because architectural topologies at the body level are quite limited, promoting a

focused discussion in a single chapter.

At the body level, sensors communicate bi-directionally with wearable/handheld data

loggers, which then interact with the resources external to the wearer.

Mesh sensor topologies, wireless routing schemes, and other more complex topological

approaches are typically unnecessary at the body level due to the close proximity of the
wireless nodes.

In addition, the peripheral technologies that support the local gateways and the extended

backbone network infrastructure (which may include cellular systems, wireless local

area networks, or Home RF implementations) are mature, and treatments of such

subsystems are addressed in numerous wireless texts

ECG &

Tilt sensor

sp02 &

Motion sensor

Body

Area

Network

Motion

senso

ZigBee

Server

GPR

Internet

Bluetoo

or

Network coordinator &

temperature/

humidity sensor

Weather Forecast

Emergency

Caregiver

Medical Server

Physician

Fig• 3.2. Depiction ofa body area network with its supporting information infrastructure

Wearable Devlced

3.10
3.5. TECHNICAL CHALLENGES

I. Data quality: Data generated and collected through BANS can play a-key role in the

patient care process. It is essential that the quality Of this data is ofa high standard to

ensure that the decisions madc are based on the best information possible

2. Data management: As BANS generate large volumes of data, the need to manage and

maintain these datasets is of utmost importance.

3. Sensor validation: Pervasive sensing devices are subject to inherent communication

and hardware constraints including unreliable wired/wireless network links, interference

and limited power reserves. This may result in erroneous datasets being transmitted

back to the end user. It is of the utmost importance especially within a healthcare

domain that all sensor readings are validated. This helps to reduce false alarm

generation and to identify possible weaknesses within the hardware and software

design.

4. Data consistency: Data residing on multiple mobile devices and wireless patient notes

need to be collected and analysed in a semnlcss fashion. Within body area networks,

vital patient datasets may be fragmented over a number of nodes and across a number of

networked PCs or Laptops. Ifa medical practitioner's mobile device does not contain all

known information then the quality of patient care may degrade.

5. Security: Considerable effort would be required to make WBAN transmission secure

and accurate. It would have to be made sure that the patient secure data is only derived

from each patient's dedicated WBAN system and is not mixed up with other patient's

data. Further, the data generated from WBAN should have secure and limited access.

Although security is a high priority in most networks, little study has been done in this

area for WBANs. As WBANs are resource-constrained in terms of power, memory,

communication rate and computational capability, security solutions proposed for other

networks may not be applicable to WBANs. Confidentiality, authentication, integrity,

and freshness of data together with availability and secure management are the security

requirements in WBAN. The IEEE 802.15.6 standard, which is latest standard for

WBAN, tried to provide security in WBAN. However, it has several security problems.

6. Interoperability: WBAN systems would have to ensure seamless data transfer across

standards such as Bluetooth, Zigbee etc. to promote information exchange, plug and
play device interaction. Further, the systems would have to be scalable, ensure efficient

migration across networks and offer uninterrupted connectivity.

7. System devices: The sensors used in WBAN would have to be Iow on complexity

small in form factor, light in weight, power efficient, easy to use and reconfigurable•

Further, the storage devices need to facilitate remote storage and viewing of patient data

as well as access to external processing and analysis tools via the Internet.

tre ess Health Systems

3.11

Energy vs• accuracy: Sensors' activation policy should be determined to optimizing the

trade-off between the BAN's power consumption versus the probability of patient's

health state mis-classification. High power consumption Often results in more accurate

observations on the patient's health state and vice versa.

9. -privacy: People might consider the WBAN technology as a potential threat to freedom

if the applications go beyond "secure" medical usage. Social acceptance would be key

to this technology finding a wider application.

10. Interference: The wireless link used for body sensors should reduce the interference

and increase the coexistence of sensor node devices with other network devices

available in the environment. This is especially important for large scale

implementation of WBAN systems.

11. Cost: Today's consumers expect -low cost health monitoring solutions which provide

high functionality. WBAN implementations will need to be cost optimized to be

appealing alternatives to health conscious consumers.

12. Constant monitoring: Users may require different levels of monitoring, for example

those at risk of cardiac ischemia may want their WBANs to function constantly, While

others at risk of falls may only need WBANs to monitor them while they are walking or

moving. The level of monitoring influences the amount of energy required and the life

cycle of the BAN before the energy source is depleted.

13. Constrained deployment: The WBAN needs to be wearable, lightweight and non

intrusive. It should not alter or encumber the user's daily activities. The technology

should ultimately be transparent to the user i.e., it should perform its monitoring tasks

without the user realising it.

14. Consistent performance: The performance of the WBAN should be consistent. Sensor

measurements should be accurate and calibrated, even when the WBAN is switched off

and switched on again. The wireless links should be robust and work under various user

environments.

Effectiveness of the WBAN is important from both patients and healthcare perspective.

As the time passes, challenges to the emerging technologies increases along with the

advancements. There is variety of challenges faced by WBAN as explain below. These

challenges are classified in six major classes such as energy, mobility, security and

communications (i.e., networking, QoS and cooperation).

1• Energy Requirements: Since, most of the devices in WBAN are using the wireless

medium, therefore they are portable. Such devices are small in size and carry power

source too. Hence, the power is alwayS limited. Wireless natures made them roam free,

meaning the devices are free to move. The power to the device of the network is

provided with the help of batteries. Things are not simplified by allowing the power

Wearable Dev•

3.12

from battery hut is encompasses some more challenges of power management of the

battery supplies especially in case of implants. Since the sensors that are implanted in

the body are so small that the battery cannot sustain more than a month. Removing the

implants and re-installation require even more management of the

generated. Different parameters that alter the power consumption include

communication bandwidth and processing power. There is need to have better

scheduling algorithm along with better power management schemes.

2. WBAN Security: In any network, communication data is of worth importance. In case

of WBAN, it becomes more critical as it has been connected to the Physical system.

These communication channels are very much visible to the attacker and if not securely

implemented it could any of the attack including eavesdropping on traffic between the

nodes, message injection, message replay, spoofing and off course compromise the

integrity of physical devices. Upon successful attack, such actions not only invade

privacy but may lead to catastrophic situation.

3. Mobility Support: WBAN provides two major advantages, i.e., portable monitoring
and location independence. Regardless of the application, these are the key factors due

to which WBAN is potential candidate in many venues. But these two advantages put

some special limitations i.e., mobility. Mobility can pose serious problem in some

application like E-Health care even posture do effect the communication. The mobility

is defined between the user and the WBAN as a seamless link. One of the major issues

is to reach to sink, which may be single or multi hop. Message is flooded to all nodes to

reach sink node and the path with minimum delay is selected. Reliable multipath routing

is another solution proposed. A path list is maintained depending upon different factors

of the routing and the link is established accordingly.

4. Quality of Service: Quality of Service (QOS) is the requirements fulfilled by system as

requested by the users. For more life critical system, timeliness may be the parameter

for the quality. System, that cannot fulfill the said requirement, falls short of providing

the QoS. Same is true for other factors like bandwidth, latency, jitter, robustnes

trustworthiness, adaptability. Similarly, seamless roaming and end to end wireless

connection between the body nodes and the sink nodes is another QoS factor.

5. Cooperation between Nodes: When the intermediate nodes help source destinatiOn

pair in communiéation, the cooperation occurs. The intermediate nodes may refer as

helper or relay. Cooperation offers a good solution for many of the limitations in

WBAN such as distance, mobility, coverage and channel impairments.

3.6. SYSTEM SECURITY AND RELIABILITY

In wireless body area networks, many security techniques are invOlved to improve the

authentication of data communication between patients and doctors. The most involved

techniques are intrusion detection systems and cryptography with key management

techniques. Table I shows the different security techniqueS used in the body area network'

Tireless Health Systems

3.13

research issues, and outcomes. Table 3.3 lists the merits of security-based techniques used in

the body area networks.

Acting as

Fig. 3.3.

Table 3.1.
Technique

Intrusion detection

system

IoT based health

Cloud- based

WBAN

Mobile agent-based

IDS

Signal propagation

based mutual

authentication

DMASK-BAN

Invariant feature-

based approach

Research Issues

Jamming Attacks

Data Secürity

Lesser users

Network-level

intrusion attacks

Active and passive

network attacks

Vulnerable attacks

High-rate attacks

Methodology

Two MAC Protocols

involved (ZIGBEE

and TMAC)

Constant monitoring

for critical patients

Increased storage
level

Machine learning

and regression

algorithms

Enables mutual trust

and used seed update

algorithm

Secret key extraction

with movement

aided from DoS

attacks

Maintain the

bandwidth

conditions in

cooperative routing

Outcome

Successful packet

delivery rate

Data authentication

and authorization

More users and

network lifetime

Accurate results and

lesser resource

overhead

Minimal routing

overhead and less

computational cost

Minimum power

consumption with

high QoS
Low-rate attacks

3.14

Identity-based

anonymous

authentication and

key agreement

Trust management

Enhanced

authentication and

access control

protocol

Several security

issues

High residual power

User impersonation

attacks

Cloud technology

and wireless

communication

Fuzzy logic

technique

Bilinear pairing and

elliptic curve

cryptography

Wearable Device;

High storage and Iow

computation cost

Secure and stable

performance

High security

Different Security Aspects of Secure WBAN

Tan et al. explained the physical unclonable function (PUF) based cloud-assisted

authentication scheme to improve the security performance in mufti-hop body area networks.

To increase the delivery rate, a lightweight authentication technique is implemented, which

results in lower storage overhead, resource loss, conflict rates, channel utilization rate, and

packet drop rate.

Demir et al. discussed the cyber-physical systems for 6G networks for security

enhancement. Smart grid technology is used in the wireless body area network and is

adaptable to all applications, including vehicles. The multilayer protection scheme is used to

improve the network lifetime, reliability, and Iow latency which is suitable for real-time

applications.

Mo et al. suggested the wearable health monitoring system for known session special

temporary information with the two-factor authentications to enhance the security features in

a wireless sensor network. A key agreement scheme is involved to improve the security

enhancement with high network efficiency and it reduces the computational cost,

communication overhead, and traffic computation.

Amel Zendehdel et al. introduced the telehealth monitoring scheme with Bluetooth for

Iow enery applications in wearable devices. This scheme involves fingerprinting

biometrics, and vulnerability scanning for high security and high reliability on the internet Of

things.

Kong et al. suggested smart healthcare systems which promotes communication security

in wireless body area networks.

Jithish et al. discussed the cyber-physical system and used the Markov decision process in

wireless body area networks to increase network longevity and energy efficiency, as well as

to defend against denial of service and deception attacks.

Vyas et al. discussed the remote health monitoring scheme for health care applicationS

with the help of the Symmetric key generation method. Cloud-assisted technology is

Wireless Health Systems

3.15

involved to improve the storage level in wireless communication channels. Complex

encryption techniques are used to identi$' intruders and strengthen security.

Damasevicius et al. explained the network flow features to detect the different types of
attackers by using the cyber security mechanism in wireless sensor networks.

et al. explained the cloud-based IoT scheme for remote patient health

monitoring in body area networks. Authentication protocols with session key mechanisms to

avoid smart card attacks and improves efficiency.

Irshad et al. described how to detect cyber-attacks in wireless networks using a smart

grid-based authentication protocol for energy and internet-based vehicle to grid networks.

These smart grid networks boost energy efficiency while also lowering computing and

communication expenses.

Reliability Of BAN:

The process Of adaptable secure data aggregation framework to improve the data

integrity, security, and privacy measures in the wearable sensors for the wireless body area

networks. This secure data framework improves the homomorphism security approach for

the developmerft of data integrity with the help of an aggregation framework.

Hasan et al. introduced the software-defined network (SDN) based WBAN for secure

data transmission. This technique distributes the patient's health record information based on

critical and non-critical patients. Furthermore, by employing the sector-based distance vector

(DV) protocol for the earliest contact between patients and doctors, the suggested technique

gives non-critical patient communications more priority.

Roy et al. explained the security and privacy issues in the wireless body area networks

and also suggested adding a cybersecurity mechanism to defend the security challenges.

Zhen et al. developed the privacy protection scheme with the cooperation of mobile edge

computing for wireless body area networks.

Sammoud et al. proposed an innovative routing protocol for secure data communication

with the aid of a biometrics-based cryptographic technique. This innovative routing protocol

transfers the data with cryptographic keys and also concentrates on minimal power

consumption in body area networks.

Wang et al. introduced the double hash chains for secure data transmission and it also

enables data authenticity and reliability. This proposed scheme supports dynamic conditions

and maintains the handover scheme.

Sensor •nodes/actuators represent essentially the wireless sensor network, and the sensor

node senses acoustic factors including temperature, pressure, sound, pulse rate, ECG, blood
Pressure, and heart rate of the •human body. In healthcare, this form of sensor network is

known as a wireless body area network (WBAN).

Wireless body area networks consist of sensors, biological parameters, body control unit,

Personal device assistant, transmission factor, and user access. Figure 3.4 shows that the

Wireless body area network along with the sensor senses the biological factors continuously

wearaote ueVicéa

in order to obtain the human health information from the body control unit. The electro

3.16

cardiogram (ECG)sensor records the patient's electric impulse as it passes through the heart

• muscle. This assists in monitoring the patient's heartbeat, which is used to tinck various

movements such as resting and moving. The temperature of the human body's ears, skin, and

forehead are detected by the body temperature sensor.

Internec

sEhGA@)))

ECG

Temperature

Care Taker / Family

Member

Blood Oxygen

Blood Pressure

Base Station

Heart Rate

C]oud Storage Server

Fig. 3.4. Wireless body area network architecture

The pressure of blood as it travels through the arteries is measured by blood pressure

andthepulsewaveismeasuredbytheheartratesensorasitpumpsbloodthroughthepatient's body.

The saturation level of oxygen in the blood is measured with a pulse oximeter. The airflow

sensor can be positioned near the human body's nasal to assess the body's respiration. The

collected information will be transferred and stored in the personal device assistants(PDA)

and later transmitted to the base station. From the base station, the data will be transferred to

the respective user applications such as cloud databases, ambulances, family members, and
doctors via the Internet.

A cloud database's purpose is to store the patient's data on a server so that the doctor can

access it and then send the patient's information to the user via the internet. Star topology is

used in the body area network. The body control unit acts as a central node and then each

sensor will sense and communicate to the center node. The center node interfaces the human

body by using Bluetooth or ZigBee or Personal Device Assistants(PDA),and then the

patient's information can be accessed by the doctors using the Internet.

Security Issues in WBAN

The purpose of network security is to protect data from threats during data transmissiOll•

There are two forms of attacks in network security: active and passive attacks, both of which

contribute to the detection of malicious data. An active attack is primarily focused on data

and has a significant impact on the system's operation. A passive attack damages or modifies

data but does not degiade information resources. The security flaws are applied at various

Wireless Health Systems

3.17

levels. Each layer of the TCP/IP 'layered architecture generates attacks. IP attacks are

introduced in the second layer (logic link control),resulting in address spoofing for incörrect

communication. Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) attacks is generated in the media

access control layer', which results in sniffing and man-in-the-middle attacks. In the third

network layer, routing attacks such as blackhole and eavesdropping attacks are created. TCP

attacks are originated in the transport layer, resulting in high synchronization flooding in

data communication. Application layer attacks are generated in the OSI model's application

layer, resulting in authentication issues such as accessing the user's username and password

A denial of service (DoS) attack will restrict data from authorized users and prevent them

from accessing their resources. Because of the week password, distributed denial of service

(DDOS) attacks is generated. The main difference between a DOS and a DDOS attack is that

a DOS attack targets a single host at a time, but a DDoS attack targets numerous hosts

simultaneously. These types of attacks will degrade network performance.

The term "reliability" refers to the fact that health-care practitioners receive monitoring

data in a timely and accurate manner. WBAN sensors must be capable of viewing and

detecting essential active signs of human health; therefore, reliability is critical. WBAN
sensors must be capable of viewing and detecting essential active signs of human health;

therefore, reliability is critical,.

3.7. BAN ARCHITECTURE

WBAN is designed with special purpose sensor which can autonomously connect with

various sensors and appliances, located inside and outside ofa human body.

Below Figure demonstrates a simple WBAN architecture where the. architecture is

divided into several sections. Here we have classified the network architecture into four

sections. The first section is the WBAN part which consists of several numbers of sensor

nodes. These nodes are cheap and low-power nodes with inertial and physiological sensors,

strategically placed on the human body. All the sensors can be used for continuous

monitoring of movement, vital parameters like heart rate, ECG, Blood pressure etc. and the

surrounding environment. There are vast monitoring systems are being used already based

on wired connectioGS. Any wired connection in amonitoring system can be problematic and

awkward worn by a person and could restrict his mobility. So, WBAN can be a very

effective solution in this area especially in a healthcare system where a patient needs to be

monitored continuously and requires mobility.

The next section is the coordination node where the entire sensor nodes will directly

COnnected with a coordination. node known as Central Control Unit (CCU). CCU takes the

reSPOnsibility to collect information from the sensor nodes and to deliver to the next section.

For mnitoring human body activities there is no such wireless technoloy is fixed for

targeting WBAN. Most popular wireless technologies used for medical monitoring system

are WLAN, WiFi, GSM, 3G, 4G,WPAN (Bluetooth, ZigBee) etc.. Except Cellular network

Standard all of these technologies are commonly available for short distance communication.

WMTS (Wireless Medical Telemetry Service) and Ultra-Wide Band are another technoloo

The third section is the WBAN communication which will act as a gateway to transfer the

information to the destination. A mobile node can be a gateway to a remote station to send

Mobile Message to a cellular network using GSM/3G/4G. A router or a PC can be a remote

node to communicate via email or other service using Ethernet which is shown in Figure 3.5.

The last section will be a control center consists of end node devices such as Mobile

phone for message, PC for monitoring and email and server for storing the information in the

database.
O

Gateway Node

Sensor N es

rdination.

Node I nterne

WBAN Commu ication

Control Center

GSM/3G

Mobile Node

Fig. 3.5.

WBAN Requirements and Workflow

Before you begin to format your paper, first write and save the content as a separate text

file. Keep your text and graphic files separate until after the text has been formatted and

styled. Do not use hard tabs, and limit use of hard returns to only one return at the end ofa

paragraph. Do not add any kind of pagination anywhere in the paper. Do not number ted

heads—the template will do that for you.

Requirements for Wireless Medical Sensors in WBAN

Wireless medical sensors should satisfy the following main requirements such as

Wearibility: To achieve non-invasive and unobtrusive continuous monitoring

Wearibility is a very important issue. These sensors must be lightweight and small. Size and

weight of sensors are mainly determined by the size and weight Of batteries . But, a battery'S

capacity is directly proportional to its size.

Reliability: Reliable communication in WBANs is Of paramount importance for any

WBAN application. So the designer should target a reliable communication technique which

will ensure uninterrupted communication and optimal throughput .A careful trade-off

between communication and computation is very crucial for a reliable system design.

Security: Another important issue is the security Of the network. All the wireless medical

sensors must meet the requirements of privacy and should ensure data integrity and

authentication.

ireless Health Systems

3.19
Interoperability: Wireless medical sensors should allow users to easily build a robust

WBAN. Standards governing that interaction Of wireless medical sensors will help vendor

competition and eventually lead to more accessible systems .

Cellular

(4

WiFi

WPAN

IP backbone

Fig. 3.6. A Typical WBAN cpmmunication. wearability, reliability,

security, and interoperability

Monitoring Sensors

Wireless body area network is a system which can continuously monitor a person's

activities. Based on the operating environments the monitoring sensors can bé classified into

two types.

Wearable sensor devices worked on the human body surface. v Implantable devices

operated inside human body

Wearable sensor devices allow the individual to follow closely the changes in her or his

functions and in the surroünding environment and provide feedback for maintaining optimal

and instant status. For example ECG, EEG, Blood pressure sensor can be used to monitor a

critical patient, GPS sensor can be used to locate an area and different types of sensor that

can be used to measure the distance, temperature, movement etc.

TO measure heath parameters, implantable sensors are planted in close contact with the

skin, and sometimes even inside the human body. Implantable biosensors are an important

class Of biosensors based on their ability to continuously measure metabolite levels, without

the need for person interference and regardless of the person's physiological state(sleep, rest,

implantable biosensors have great impact to diabetes and trauma care patients, as

well as soldiers in action (military). Figure 3.7 focuses on the sensor podes with wireless

capabilities.

In a WBAN traffic can be divided into three categories such as: v Normal traffic v

Traffic Types

Emergency traffic v On-demand tramc

EEG

Sensor node

electronics with

wireless capability

ECG

CCU

Wireless distance

Fig. 3.7. Sensor nodes in WBAN.

Normal tramc is the data traffic which is used to monitor the normal condition of a

person without any criticality and on demand events. Emergency traffic is initiated by nodes

when they exceed a predefined threshold or in any emergency situation. Such type of traffic

is totally unpredictable.

On-demand traffic is initiated by the authorized personnel like doctor or. consultant to

acquire certain information for diagnostic purpose .

Work Flow

Figure 3.8 shows the work flowchart of WBAN. In the flowchan workflow is divided in

to two sections. First section is the WBAN where all the sensors devices will collect data and

process them to the control center. While processing if any error occurs then it will read data

again from the sensor and will forward for processing.

The control center will send the data to the desired location. If any problem occurs then it

will generate an error where resend option should be needed again.

WBAN Standards and Technologies

As WBAN is a short range wireless networks so different types of wireless short range

technologies can be involved in different stages. In this • segment we will describe most

common technologies such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, WiFi, IEEE 802.15.6 etc. that can be used

to deploy WBAN.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is an IEEE 802.15.1 standard commonly known as WPAN (Wireless Personal

Area Network). Bluetooth technology was designed as a short range wireless communicatiOn

Standard, anticipated to form a network with security and Iow power consumption. A typical
"fireless Health Systems

3.21

Bluetooth network forms a Piconet where a Bluetooth device works as a master and another

seven Bluetooth devices

WBAN

Read Sensor Data

Process Data

Control Center

Learn

Problem

Detected

Compare with

Send Event

Send Alert

No

Yes

Send

Fig. 3.8. Workingflowchart of WBAN

work as slaves which gives each device to communicate with each other simultaneously.

An other type of Bluetooth network can be formed with more than one Piconet known as

Scatternet. In Scatternet a node of a Piconet (can be a master or a slave) joins as a slave in

another Piconet. Figure 3.9 shows how a Piconet and Scatternet are formed using Bluetooth

nodes. Though, the basic Bluetooth protocol does not support relaying but it is possible to

join together numerous Piconet into a large Scatternet, and to expand the physical size of the

network beyond Bluetooth's limited range using this method.

Bluetooth devices operate in the 2.4GHz ISM band(lndustrial, Scientific and Medical

band), utilizing frequency hopping among 79 1 MHz channels at a nominal rate of 1600

hops/sec to avoid interference. It is classified with three classes of devices with coverage

ranging from I to 100 m and different transmission powers ranging from I mw to 100 mw

with 3 Mbps data rate. A very key feature of Bluetooth is that all the Bluetooth devices can
communication with each other in NLOS condition. Bluetooth is suitable for short distance

data transmission applications such as between servers of WBANs or between a WBAN and

a personal computer.

ZigBee

ZigBee is an IEEE 802.15.4 standardized solutions for wireless telecommunications

designéd for sensors and controls, and suitable for use in harsh or isolated conditions. One of

the biggest advantages of ZigBee network is its low power consumption. Figure 3.10 shows

a typical ZigBee network •topology which consist of three kinds of devices or nodes such as

coordinator, router and end device. One coordinator exists in every ZigBee network. It starts

Wearablé Devicéi

3.22

the network and handles management functions as well as data routing functions. End

devices are devices that are battery-powered due to their Iow-power consumption. They are

in standby mode most of the time and become active to collect and transmit data.

Piconet 2

Piconet I

M Master

S Slave

Slave/Slave

Bluetooth network

Scatternet

Fig. 3.9.

Devices such as sensors are configured as end devices. They are connected to the network

through the routers. Routers help to carry data across multi-hop ZigBee networks. In some

cases ZigBee network topology are formed without routers when the network is point to

point and point to multipoint.

ZigBee is aimed at RF applications that require low data rate, long battery lifespan and

secure networking. Through the standby mode, ZigBee enabled devices can be operational

for several years. ZigBee-based Wireless devices operate in three different frequency bands

such as 868 MHz 915 MHz and 2.4 GHz.

O Coordinator
O Router

O End Device

Fig. 3.10. ZigBee network.

Wireless Health Systems

3.23

Therefore, one substantial drawback of using ZigBee network for WBAN applications is

due to interference with wireless local area network WLAN) transmission, especially at

2.4GHz. As ZigBee devices operate at low data rate so it can be unsuitable for large-scale

and realtime WBAN applications. But, it can be very much suitable for personal use like

assisted living, health monitoring, sports, environment etc. within a modest range between

50 - 70 meters.

WiFi

WiFi is an IEEE 802.11 standard for wireless local area network (WLAN). Generally

WiFi technology comes with four standards (802.11 a/b/g/n) that runs in ISM band 2.4 and 5

GHz with a modest coverage of 100 meter. Wi-Fi permits users to transfer data at broadband

speed when connected to an access point (AP) or in ad hoc mode. WiFi network where WiFi

sensor nodes and users can transfer data using internet by standard WiFi router. In some

modified version, WiFi devices can be used in data acquisition applications that allow a

direct communications between the sensors and the smart phones/ PC even without an

intermediate router.

WiFi is preferably suitable for large amount of data transfers with high-speed Wireless

connectivity that allows videoconferencing, voice calls and video streaming. An important

advantage is that all smartphones, tablets and laptops have Wi-Fi integrated; however the

main disadvantage of this technology is high energy consumption.

-IEEE802.15.6WBAN

IEEE802.15.6 is the latest addition in WPAN which is known as WBAN standard that

provides various medical and non medical applications and supports communications inside

and around the human body. This standard supports communication inside and outside of

human body which can be used for different medical and non medical applications such as e-

Healthcare monitoring, sportsy environment etc.

IEEE 802.15.6 standard is classified by three physical layer standards. Each standard uses
different frequency bands for data transmission with data rate IO Mbps maximum. First one

is Narrowband (NB) which operates within the range of 400, 800, 900 MHz and 2.3, 2.4

GHz bands. The Human Body Communication (HBC) is another standard which operates at

range of50 MHz. The Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology operates between 3.1 GHz to 10.6

GHz which supports high bandwidth in short range communication.

Wireless Communication Techniques

Wireless networking technology is an alternative to traditional cable and fibre optic

networks. It is fast becoming a vital productivity tool for today's mobile workforce.

A wireless network uses radio waves instead of cables to connect devices such as laptops

to the internet, or to your business network. It removes the need for expensive and messy

wires, and allows you or your staff to access your company's documents, emails and other

resources from any location within your network's coverage area or any Wi-Fi hotspot. By

Wearable Devices

3.24

removing the need for wiring, wireless networks can be a quick and cost-effective small

business networking solution.

•9

•9

In today's world, wireless communication has a major application in sharing of

information anywhere and at anytime.

We can use wireless networks in the form of WLAN or Wi-Fi in various fields such as

education, healthcare, and industrial sector.

As the technology is growing, the demands of users as well as the demand of ubiquitous

networking is increasing.

WBAN(Wireless Body Area Network) allows the user to move another 'vvithout having

the restriction of a cable for sharing information.

The communication in body sensor networks is of 2 types:

In-body communication

• On-body communication

In-body communication is the communication between sensor nodes that are implanted
inside human body. The MICS (Medical Implant Communication System)

communication can be used only for in-body communication.

On-body communication occurs between wearable devices which consist of sensor

nodes. The ISM(IndustriaI Scientific and Medical)band and UWB (Ultra-wideband)

communication can be used only for on-body communication.

A body area network(BAN),aIso referred to as a wireless body area network(WBAN) or

a body sensor network (BSN) or a medical body area network (MBAN), is a wireless

network of wearable computing devices.

BAN devices may be embedded inside the body,_implants, maybe surface-mounted on

the body in a fixed position Wearable technology or may be accompanied devices

which humans can carry in different positions, in clothes pockets, by hand or in various

bags.

A WBAN system can use WPAN wireless technologies as gateways -to reach longer

ranges. Through gateway devices, it is possible to connect the wearable devices on the

human body to the internet.

This way, medical professionals can access patient data online using the internet

independent of the patient location.

In modem technoloy wireless communication provides a lot of possibilities to be able

to share its information to each other at anytime and anywhere.

Intelligent mobile communication network and WLAN, Wi-Fi are applied to variOUS

sectors such as education; healthcare service and industry in order to provide people a

convenient way to communicate with each other.

réléss Health Systems

3.25

As the demand of ubiquitous network is increased, the devices for home, office and

other information devices, that can communicate wireless in short range have been

getting more attention.

The standard and technique development Of ubiquitous network has rapidly put itself

into the world market.

Wireless communication is wireless telecommunication that uses electromagnetic waves

(radio waves), magnetic fields, and electric fields, whereas optical communication uses light
without using wires or cables. Among the various methods of wireless communication,

telecommunication that uses radio waves enables long-distance communication in the order

of kilometers or more and allows lots of data to be transmitted. Therefore,

radio waves are used in most wireless communication systemS. We would like to focus our

explanation mainly on radio waves in this series.

Wireless communication systems that use radio waves are configured to use space as the

transmission path (or communication channel) and to send data on radio waves as

signals* I from transmitters to receivers (Fig. 3.11).

Transmitter

Radio

Waves

Receiver

Wireless communication transmission path

(route of radio waves) is space

Fig. 3.11. Configuration •ofa Simple Model for a Wireless Communication System

+ Data: A collection of symbols and codes that represent facts.

Information: Data including audio, text, and images that can be interpreted by humans

and used in ways such as to determine things and take actions.

Signals: Data or information transmitted over time across transmission paths

(Communication channels) such as space or cables.

Examples of Wireless Communication Applications

Table 1 summarizes the approximate categories of wireless communication that transmit

using radio waves and the typical applications of each category. Wireless

ccmmunication is used in various fields. The applications and types of wireless

communication are also wide-ranging.

3.26

Wearable

We should note here that wireless communication is also being developed beyond the

boundaries of these categories in recent years. For example, various countries have be

satellite mobile communication services that incorporate satellite communication into mobile

communication (smartphones equipped with a function to connect to satellites).

Table 3.2. Categories of Wireless Communication and their Applications

Categories of Wireless

Communication

Mobile communication

Aviation communication

Satellite communication

Ship communication

Broadcast communication

Fixed communication

(microwave communication)

Typical Applications

Mobile phones

Radio altimeters, radars for air traffic control

Satellite broadcasting, GPS weather

observation

LF beacons, MF/HF/VHF wireless

communication

AM/FM radio broadcasting (audio)

television broadcasting (Video)

Long-distance telephone call relays,

television relays

Wireless network communication Bluetooth O, UWB, Wi-Fi, Wi-MAX,

LPWA, etc.

Supplementary Information to the Terms in Table 3.2

Table 3.3.

Term

Description

Global Positioning system (GPS) A satellite positioning system for the entire earth

Low Frequency (LF)

Medium Frequency (MF)

High Frequency (HF)

Very High Frequency(VHF)

Microwaves

Amplitude Modulation (AM)

Also called long wave. The frequency range is 30

kHz to 300 kHz

Also called medium wave . The frequency range is

300 kHz to 3,000 kHz (3 MHz)

Also called short wave The frequency range is

3 MHz to 30 MHz

Also called ultra-short wave The frequency range

is 30 MHz tp 3,000 MHz (3 GHz)

Also described as Super Very High Frequency(SHF) The frequency range is 3 GHz to 30 GHz

A Wpe of communication technology that transmits

analog audio over long distances.

Frequency Modulation (FM)

3.27

A type of audio communication technology similar

to AM.. FM broadcasts have a reach of about

100 km. However, Am broadcasts can go beyond

that and even reach overseas. Nevertheless, AM

broadcasts are more susceptible to the impact of

noise.

Basic Configuration and Elements of Wireless Communication Systems

The basic model configuration of wireless communication systems (and wired

communication systems) is as in Fig. 3.12.

We call the data transmitted through a transmission path a "signal." We refer to the

unnecessary components that negatively affect these signals and make it difficult to transmit

the data we want to send to the recipient "noise." In practice, noise may occur in both

transmitters and receivers and then cause interference with the operation of devices and other

problems. In other words, we can call a communication system completely unaffected by this

noise the ideal communication system.

Transmission path

Sender

Transmitter

Data

Noise

Receiver

Recipient

Fig. 3.12. Configuration of the Basic Model for Communication Systems

Table 3.4. Constituent Elements of the Basic Model for Communication Systems

Constituent Elements

Sender

Data

Transmitter

Transmission path

(communication channel)

Receiver

Recipient

Description

The person sending data

Audio, text, still images, videos etc

The device that converts the information you want

to pass along the transmission path into signals.

The medium in which signals are transmitted from

the transmitter to the receiver (the transmission

path is a wire or cable in wired communication)

The device that converts the signals passed along

the transmission path into data.

The person who received data

Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) is becoming a special application of such

technique. WBAN differs with other wireless sensor networks(WSN) with some significant

points• First difference between a WBAN and WSN is mobility. In WBAN user can move
Wearable Devices

3.28

with' sensor nodes with same mobility pattern whereas WSN is generally used to be

stationary. Energy consumption is much less in WBAN than other WSNs arrangement. In

addition, WBAN sensor devices are found cheaper than WSNs. For reliability, node

complexity and density, WBAN nodes are however traditional. WSNs do not tackle specific

requirements associated with the interaction between the network and the human body. The

WBAN performs like Virtual Doctor Server, by keeping the different responsibilities like.

maintain the history of the patient, giving advices to the patient in general/emergency (first

aid help from second person) case etc. To understand the communication approach of this

emerging WBAN technology, we first need to know the conceptual structure of WBAN so

that, one can easily know the flow Of communication within the system and to the outside

world, this has been achieved by the demonstration of a simple WBAN communication

architecture. Where this architecture is mainly comprised with three different layers namely:

Tier I, Tier 2 and Tier 3 and these are further described better in the given figure 3.14.

WBAN Architectures and Communication Protocols

There are different WBAN architectures proposed by many different research groups for

specific applications. The architecture and communication protocols are application specific

for optimizing the performance. Three-tier WBAN architecture is the most common

architecture while • body-to-body (B2B), machine-to-Inachine (M2M), and ad-hoc type

architectures are there. Figure I .shows an example of the three-tier WBAN architecture used

in healthcare systems.

Tier I has the sensors including electroencephalography (EEG) sensors,

electrocardiography (ECG) sensors, electromyography (EMG) sensors, and peripheral

oxygen saturation (SP02) sensors attached on the body, implanted in the body, or swallowed.

This tier is called' the intra-WBAN tier where all the communications happen within the

WBAN. Tier 2 has external communication gateways such as a mobile phone or a wi-fi

router connected to the internet. There may be one WBAN communicating with another

WBAN and this is called the inter-WBAN tier, but still categorized under tier 2. The

communication between the gateways and end users is categorized as tier 3, commonly

known as the beyond-WBAN tier. Cloud computing sits between tiers 2 and 3.
WBAN Topologies

WBANs have four common network topologies as shown in Fig.3.13, where the star

top0100' has equal access levels for all peripheral sensor nodes to the access point or the

centralnode. This is preferred when the sensor nodes do not need to communicate with each

other. In case one sensor node needs to talk to another node, it must go through the central

node. In contrast, the mesh topology provides all sensor nodes the same level of access rights

as in star topology and each sensor node can talk to the other sensor nodes individually•

However, this comes with the cost of high signal collision probability and therefore may

cause delays in successful data transmission. Therefore, the fully meshed network topolog

is not used unless it is essential for a particular application. The tree network topolog has

different priority levels for different sensors and the number of hops needed to access the

central node is also dependent on how they are configured. Sensor-to-sensor communication

in a tree network always needs more than one hop unless it is between

nodes. The hybrid topology has all the above-mentioned configurations within it dependent

on the configuration and this is the most common WBAN configuration used in the field

Sensor

Central Node

Sensor

Node

(a) Star topology

Central Node

Sensor

Sensor

Sensor

Node

Sensor

Central Node

Sensor

Sensor

Node

Sensor Sensor
Node

(c) Tree topology

WBAN Communication Protocols

Sensor

Node

Fig. 3.13.

(b) Mesh topology

Sensor

Central Node

Sensor

Sensor

Sensor Sensor

Node

(d) Hybrid topology

IEEE has derived several network standards related to WBANs. The first one was IEEE

802.15.1 developed in 2002 for Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) which was based

on Bluetooth. It defined the physical layer (PHY) and the media. IEEE 802.15.4 low rate

was also introduced in 2003 for longer battery access control (MAC) layer

qecifications for fixed and mobile WPAN [20]. Later IEEE 802.15.2 was developed as a

coexisting network and IEEE 802.15.3 was developed as the high rate WPAN in 2003 life

networks and had a couple of amendments thereafter to accommodate different country-

specific regulatory changes. IEEE 802.15.5 is the standard provided for interoperable;

and stable WPANs. The IEEE 802.15.6 standard was specifically developed for

3.30

WBAN. The body area network node locations have three major zones namely, implant, on

the surface, and external where the external devices can operate from a maximum of S

away from the body. Dependent on the scenario of transmission, the channel models (CMS)

and frequency bands have been allocated .

Table 3.5. Designing and implementation challenges in different layers of WBAN

protocols

Network Layer Transport

Physical Layer

Interoperability

Temperature

control

Changing

topology

Varying

bandwidth

needs

Constant

signaling

Interference

Fault

acceptance

Security

Quality of

Service (QoS)

Varying data

rates

MAC Layer

Dynamic

channel

assignment

Control packets

overhead

Protocol

overhead

Synchronization

Optimum

routing

Network
condition

Real-time

streaming

Localization

Mobility

Temperature

and heat control

Traffic control

Multi-path

routing

Security

Qos

Fault tolerance

Layer

Reliable

transport

Congestion

control

Self-

configuration

Energy

awareness

Biased

implementation

Constrained

addressing

Application

Layer

Efficient

interface

Security
Congestion

control

Flow control

Bandwidth

allocation

Packet-loss

recovery

Energy

efficiency

Throughput

Consistency

Over-emitting

Packet

scheduling

Error control

Overheating

Calibration

Fault

acceptance

Energy

conservation

Qos

lie ass Health Systems

Multi-radio and

multi-channel

design

Data flow

control

Idle listening

Security

Delay control
EEG

Air Flow

ECG

Bool Glucose

Pulse

SP02

EMG

Motion

Implanted

ensor

Access Point

nut o

Fig. 3,14.

3.31

iHospitaI

Ambulance

Medical

Server

Tier 3