Intra-Body Communication: Rapid Prototype

Transmitter and receiver for the BAN/ PAN (Body/ Person Area Network) technology were built in order to assess its benefits and limits. The technology is based on the capacitive coupling of communications signals through the human body. A direct sequence spread spectrum system has been implemented, using a direct conversion undersampling receiver structure.

A printed circuit board of credit card size is used as coupling capacity.

Customer: Kaba AG

Challenge

Development of a functioning communication system with only few resources (microcontroller-based) and under severe time constraints

Result: Findings

Assessment of the performance and reliability of the technology

Information about the benefits of a minimal spread spectrum system

Technologies/ Capabilities

Digital signal processing and communications
Microcontroller
Rapid Prototyping (ScOS-based controller software)