A scalable 2.9mW 1Mb/s eTextiles body area network transceiver with remotely powered sensors and bi-directional data communication

Abstract

Advances in sensor design have made ambulatory health monitoring possible and have created the need for low-power communication systems to replace bulkier traditional links. Micropower sensors should also be powered by a non-local energy source for system miniaturization and long life. Recently proposed communication systems using wireless body area networks [1,2] and body-coupled communication [3] suffer from high path loss around the human body for efficient remote power delivery. In contrast, eTextiles are becoming an increasingly popular technology for efficiently powering and communicating with such sensors [4-6] due to wide coverage around the human body combined with low path loss and comfort of use.