Wearable ECG Based on Impulse-Radio-Type Human Body Communication

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Wireless Communication
• Wearable Technology

Background:

• Human Body Communication (HBC) offers secure, low-loss wireless transmission for Body Area Networks (BANs).
• Existing wearable ECGs face challenges in power consumption, licensing, and miniaturization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) using impulse radio (IR)-type HBC technology.
• To demonstrate real-time transmission of vital signals for healthcare applications.

Main Methods:

• Developed a wearable ECG device utilizing IR-HBC technology.
• Implemented time-sharing and capacitive coupling for common sensing and transmitting electrodes.
• Evaluated communication performance (bit error rate) and ECG acquisition accuracy.

Main Results:

• Achieved a bit error rate below 10^-3 at 1.25 Mb/s, indicating robust physical layer performance.
• Demonstrated accurate ECG waveform and heart rate variability parameter acquisition, comparable to commercial devices.
• Successfully realized the first real-time ECG transmission using HBC technology.

Conclusions:

• The HBC-based wearable ECG is a valid and feasible solution for healthcare applications.
• The device's low radiation power and simplified structure facilitate widespread adoption.
• This technology enables convenient, real-time remote patient monitoring.