Channel characterization and diversity feasibility for in-body to on-body communication using low-band UWB signals

Abstract

This paper aims at the feasibility study of a wireless link for capsule endoscope by using of low-band ultra wideband (UWB) signals. The UWB technique has a potential to provide real-time image transmission from the inside to outside of the body, but it suffers from the large attenuation in the human tissue. We employ the finite difference time domain (FDTD) numerical technique together with an anatomical human body model to derive the channel characteristics such as the path loss and shadow fading. We also investigate the feasibility to use a space diversity technique to improve the communication performance. The results have shown a possibility to use the low-band UWB technique to realize a data rate as high as 80 Mbps for the capsule endoscope application.