An Energy Efficient Intelligent Wireless Body Area Network for Real-Time Vital Signs Monitoring

Abstract

In this paper we present a real-time, continuous vital signs monitoring system based on a Multi-agent architecture. Real-time remote monitoring of the patient's vital signs and generating alerts in case of emergency situations is of great importance in healthcare. Several tiny sensors attached to the patient's body can collect physiological measurements of vital signs, and transmit them to a remote server, from where it can be consulted by a physician. Using Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) technology patients can move freely and perform daily tasks while being monitored. In such systems energy is the most valuable resource. Most energy consumption is done by data transmission related operations. Therefore local processing of vital signs measurements and continuously updating vital signs thresholds according to the activity carried by the patient on each sensor node, and sending data only when abnormal values exceed these ranges, can significantly reduce data transmission and save the sensors' battery life.