Taylor, Kim (2016) A Modular Transceiver Platform for Human Body Communications. Research Master thesis, Victoria University.

Abstract

Increasing interest in self health monitoring and performance analysis has resulted in a growing number of human health sensor devices. Such devices usually take the form of small, wearable and battery powered electronic systems that emphasise low power consumption and minimum discomfort to the user. While such sensors may be helpful on their own, increased benefits can be realised though the implementation of an integrated sensor network around the human body. In 2012, the IEEE 802.15.6 standard was introduced to provide a common communications protocol that may be adopted by sensor devices using three types of physical layer communications methods: ultra wideband radio frequency, narrow band radio frequency and human body communications. While narrow band and ultra wideband communications utilise traditional electromagnetic wave propagation, human body communications relies on electrostatic coupling between the transmitter and receiver. Electrostatic coupling has the benefit of reduced attenuation when used in body area networking applications. This thesis presents an implementation of an IEEE 802.15.6 compliant transceiver using the human body communications physical layer. The thesis covers the design and implementation of the digital and analogue electronics necessary to meet the requirements of the standard, as well as describing a prototype transceiver that was developed to confirm correct operation of the design. The transceiver design has been developed in full for the purpose of this thesis. The prototype transceiver is capable of sustaining up to 763Kbps at a bit error rate of 0.21 at the maximum data date, or for improved quality of service, lower data rates may be used with a minimum bit error rate of 0.06. Complete FPGA proven hardware descriptions of the digital system are provided in addition to a mixed signal testbench, allowing end-to-end simulation of the entire communications channel.

Search Google Scholar

Repository staff login