Multiple Human Effects in Body Area Networks

Abstract

This letter investigates the channel variations in wireless body area networks (WBANs). For the purpose of the investigation, a ray solution for multiple closed surfaces is proposed that utilizes a modified slope uniform theory of diffraction (UTD) technique and can be applied to model scattering, radiation, coupling effects, or a combination of the three in a single formulation. The solution considers all possible ray paths and is valid at the transition boundaries of the scenario. The human bodies are represented as closed cylindrical surfaces with constitutive parameters based on the “Muscle” model. The proposed algorithm predicts channel variations in a ray format that requires less CPU and is characterized by lower complexity compared to full-wave techniques. Body-to-access point (BAP) and body-to-body networks are investigated .