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Feasibility of retroreflective transdermal optical wireless communication
Yotam Gil1, Nadav Rotter, Shlomi Arnon
1Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
Applied Optics
|June 23, 2012
Summary
Optical wireless communication (OWC) offers a promising solution for high-data-rate, noise-immune, and low-power transdermal communication for in-body devices. Further development of low-energy retroreflectors is needed for OWC to compete with direct links.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Wireless Communication
- Optical Engineering
Background:
- Increasing demand for high-data-rate, wireless, noise-immune, and ultra-low-power transdermal communication for in-body devices.
- Current transdermal communication methods (RF, induction, acoustic waves) have limitations.
- Need for advanced communication solutions for medical implants and internal body sensors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore Optical Wireless Communication (OWC) as an alternative transdermal communication method.
- To present a mathematical model and experimental validation of OWC transdermal links.
- To evaluate OWC performance using direct and retroreflection link configurations through Gallus gallus domesticus derma.
Main Methods:
- Development of a mathematical model for OWC transdermal communication.
- Experimental measurements using direct link and retroreflection configurations.
- Utilized Gallus gallus domesticus (chicken) skin as the transdermal channel.
Main Results:
- OWC demonstrates high data rates and immunity to external interference, surpassing traditional methods.
- Measurements confirmed the feasibility of OWC links through biological tissue (chicken derma).
- Direct links showed promising performance, while retroreflective links require further optimization.
Conclusions:
- OWC is a viable and attractive communication solution for medical applications requiring in-body device connectivity.
- OWC offers significant advantages in data rate and noise immunity for transdermal communication.
- Development of energy-efficient modulating retroreflectors is crucial for enhancing the competitiveness of retroreflective OWC links.
