Wireless ‘body-to-body networks’ can revolutionize mobile communication

WASHINGTON - If every human being were to carry with him or her, a wearable sensor, they could communicate with each other to create potentially vast body-to-body networks (BBNs), forming the backbone of powerful new mobile Internet networks.

Queen’s University Belfast researchers said that the novel sensors could create new ultra high bandwidth mobile Internet infrastructures and reduce the density of mobile phone base stations.

Social benefits could include vast improvements in mobile gaming and remote healthcare, along with new precision monitoring of athletes and real-time tactical training in team sports.

“The availability of body-to-body networks could bring great social benefits, including significant healthcare improvements through the use of bodyworn sensors for the widespread, routine monitoring and treatment of illness away from medical centres,” said Dr Simon Cotton, from ECIT’s wireless communications research group.

“This could help to alleviate public perceptions of adverse health associated with current networks and be more environmentally friendly due to the much lower power levels required for operation,” he added.

“Success in this field will not only bring major social benefits it could also bring significant commercial rewards for those involved. Even though the market for wearable wireless sensors is still in its infancy, it is expected to grow to more than 400 million devices annually by 2014.” (ANI)