A modular 6LoWPAN-based wireless sensor body area network for health-monitoring applications

Reliable, standard-based networking is one of the key enablers for mobile and ubiquitous health monitoring. In particular, multi-hop IPv6-based wireless sensor body area network is one of the most attractive candidates for true internet of things in healthcare. This paper describes a proposal for a modular system comprising 6LoWPAN communication modules, optimized modules for application-specific sensing/digital signal processing, as well as energy harvesting and energy management modules. The connection between the modules is unified, enabling the creation of a wide variety of measurement setups. The unified DSP modules can be used to measure e.g. electrical bio-impedance, ECG, multi-axis acceleration, SpO2, etc. The DSP modules are integrated with low power, small size 6LoWPAN communication controller modules; IEEE 1588-2008/PTP is used for synchronizing the data acquisition nodes.