Comparative Analysis of In-Body to Out-Body Wireless CommunicationModules: Test Design and PerformanceEvaluation

Sammanfattning: Wireless communication for biomedical equipment is rapidly improving with the invention of new technologies. Due to the absence of cables, wireless technology is a growing area of interest for biomedical applications. As technology advances, many gadgets are becoming smaller and more portable. Often, there is a need for these medical devices to transfer data in real-time. However, it is critical to recognize the special obstacles connected with the creation of novel products that need in-body to off-body communication. Unlike standard wireless communication scenarios, such as Wi-Fi or cellular networks, where data passes through the air; in-body to off-body communication occurs within or on the surface of the human body. Itis a significant technological challenge to provide dependable and secure communication inside the body’s dynamic and changing environment. The human body’s dielectric characteristics, attenuation, received power, transmitted power, and distance to the receiver must be considered when designing any wireless implantable device. In this thesis, we designed tests with a lossy medium that simulates the human body and a few test protocols that can facilitate the testing and development of wireless communications from in-body to off-body for a medical device intended to support pelvic muscle floor training. We designed the test protocols based on this application and safety requirements. These tests were then used to evaluate and compare two commercially available transceivers operating at 433MHz and 2.4 GHz.We created and implemented several experiments using the communication models. This thesis investigated the properties of a lossy medium in the context of electromagnetic signals in wireless communication. The tests included a study of connectivity, range, latency, and packet errors that occur during signal transmission across the medium. The findings indicate that BLE modules might be more favorable for future advances. The outcomes of this thesis can be utilized as a starting point for the future development of the intended application.BLE technology is distinctive largely by its low power consumption, which is critical for applications where energy efficiency is the main concern. Especially important in the context of IoT (Internet of Things) and wearable devices, where long-lasting battery life is required. Furthermore, BLE provides a more robust and standardized communication protocol, making it easy to integrate and compatible with a wide range of devices and platforms. While 433 MHz modules have advantages such as a longer range and simpler technology, BLE’s increased transmission rate capabilities and broad acceptance in current smartphones and tablets make it more adaptable for applications that require frequent data exchange and compatibility with consumer devices.