Impact of Dynamic Wideband MIMO Body Channel Characteristics on Healthcare Rehabilitation of Walking

In this letter, eight (2 × 4) dynamic channels between wearable fabric antennas, mounted on both inside and outside of the right wrist, knee, and ankle, are experimentally examined. The multichannel time variation of the signals is observed using a Medav ultrawideband (UWB) multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) channel sounder over a bandwidth of 3.5-10.5 GHz, including IEEE 802.15.6 UWB bands. The aim of these experiments is to observe how the body dynamics of a subject walking, while undergoing rehabilitation, affect signal propagation. A comprehensive understanding of the multichannel characteristics of a wireless body area network is established, and the way in which this information may be used to improve patient care is discussed. The channel statistics provide useful information for the design of the RF chain and cross-layer protocols to ensure energy-efficient, multinode-operation on-body networks.