High reliability body sensor network using gesture triggered burst transmission

Abstract

Body Sensor Networks (BSN) is a developing area of research that allows wireless sensors to collect important parameters and monitor the human body. The wrist movement of a test subject running at moderate speed was monitored using accelerometer sensors. The sensor nodes were programmed to follow a gesture transmission technique to collect acceleration data and to predict the best limb position for communications while the athlete is moving. This paper reports a high reliability wireless network to acquire 50 Hz movement acceleration during running. This reduces transmission power and increases the reliability. A result of 30% data loss was reduced to around 1% compared to continuous communications. This technology is important for a wide range of monitoring applications including measuring movement symmetry, physiology and athlete rehabilitation.