On-Chip Molecular Communication: Analysis and Design

TLDR

The study examines on‑chip molecular communication in a confined microfluidic environment, where it is unclear whether passive or active transport yields higher transmission rates. The authors compare passive and active transport by deriving analytical tools to measure achievable information rates and use these tools to optimize design parameters. They develop mathematical methods to evaluate information rates, analyze the impact of transmitter–receiver separation, and propose design guidelines for optimal molecular communication setups. Their analysis shows that separation distance significantly influences information rate under both schemes and offers a design guide for optimal configurations.

Abstract

We consider a confined space molecular communication system, where molecules or information carrying particles are used to transfer information on a microfluidic chip. Considering that information-carrying particles can follow two main propagation schemes: passive transport, and active transport, it is not clear which achieves a better information transmission rate. Motivated by this problem, we compare and analyze both propagation schemes by deriving a set of analytical and mathematical tools to measure the achievable information rates of the on-chip molecular communication systems employing passive to active transport. We also use this toolbox to optimize design parameters such as the shape of the transmission area, to increase the information rate. Furthermore, the effect of separation distance between the transmitter and the receiver on information rate is examined under both propagation schemes, and a guidepost to design an optimal molecular communication setup and protocol is presented.