EAGER: Network Protocol Stack for Galvanic Coupled Intra-body Sensors

植入式传感器将通过原位测试异常生理状况、个性化医疗和主动药物输送来实现下一代医疗保健。这些功能需要通过身体组织在植入物之间进行能量有效的数据通信，这是难以通过射频（RF）波实现的，因为它们在体内具有高衰减。该项目涉及使用弱电流作为底层通信机制的网络协议栈的设计，而不是传统的RF波来连接植入物。与RF相比，该范例导致两个数量级的能量节省。这项研究将有助于实现连接植入物网络的各种应用，使运动员，军人和其他高危人群受益。主动报告体内生理变化的能力将延长人类寿命。该项目包括针对K-12学生的外展部分，基于计算机模拟的项目设计，以及在科学博物馆等公共场所的演示。该项目期间计划的研究是首次系统地设计基于电信号电流耦合的网络协议。它的目标如下：（i）探索传输频率和功率对用于多播通信的组织边界处的信号反射和折射的影响，（ii）对于基于CSMA和TDMA的方法，设计无干扰介质访问方案，其考虑在所有同时活动的收发器对的信号路径的交叉处产生的热量，（iii）研究新的策略并进行性能分析，用于皮肤上中继节点的最佳放置，以从身体中的位置检索传感器数据，其最小化数据收集等待时间，同时受到可行的身体上位置的约束，以及（iv）第一个使用NS-3进行电流耦合通信的模拟器和测试平台，并将提出通过非接触式磁耦合线圈对植入传感器充电的方法。

Implanted sensors will enable the next generation of healthcare by in-situ testing of abnormal physiological conditions, personalized medicine and proactive drug delivery. These functions require energy efficient communication of data between implants through the body tissues, which is difficult to achieve via radio frequency (RF) waves owing to their high attenuation within the body. The project involves the design of a network protocol stack using weak electrical currents as the underlying communication mechanism, instead of conventional RF waves to connect the implants. This paradigm results in energy savings of two orders of magnitude compared to RF. This research will help in realizing diverse applications arising out from a network of connected implants that benefit athletes, military personnel, and other at-risk populations. The ability to proactively report physiological changes within the body will increase longevity of human life. The project incorporates outreach components targeting K-12 students, design of computer-simulation based projects, and demonstrations at public venues like science museums.The research planned in the course of this project is the first effort to systematically devise networking protocols based on galvanic coupling of electric signals. It has the following goals: (i) explore the impact of the transmission frequency and power on signal reflection and refraction at the tissue boundaries for multicast communication, (ii) design of interference-free medium access schemes that take into account heat generated at the crossings of the signal paths for all simultaneously active transceiver pairs, for both CSMA and TDMA-based approaches, (iii) research new strategies and conduct performance analysis for optimal placement of on-skin relay nodes for retrieving the sensor data from locations in the body that minimize the data gathering latency while being constrained by feasible on-body locations, and (iv) the first simulator and testbed for galvanic coupled communication using ns-3, and will also propose ways to charge the implanted sensors through contact-less magnetically coupled coils.