Wireless Body Area Networks channel decongestion algorithm

Advances in MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS), nanotechnology, and sensing technology have fueled the manufacture of small devices called body sensors. When worn on, in, or around the body, these sensors form a Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) which senses and forwards physiological conditions to medical personnel and caregivers for remedial action. The ability of Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) to offer pre-emptive and curative services to mankind cannot be overemphasized. An increase in density of subjects wearing WBANs per unit area causes congestion of the transmission medium which results in the loss of transmitted data. This paper proposes the Selective Transmission algorithm which decongests the transmission medium by filtering irrelevant packets, reducing data packet loss, as well as reducing energy consumption and increasing the lifespan of WBANs. A comparison of the proposed Selective Transmission algorithm with the extant Value Reporting application portrayed an 83.33% channel decongestion and 44.56% drop in energy consumption for the former.