Zero-Configuration of Pervasive Healthcare Sensor Networks

Pervasive healthcare systems are trying to address the expected demand for caretaking and out-of-hospital monitoring. These systems allow for automatic and distributed monitoring of patients, but many of them are time consuming with regards to installation and maintenance configuration of the sensor network and communication platform. To avoid burdening caretaking staff and relatives with installing and configuring system software and hardware, a research project at the Engineering College of Aarhus, pervasive healthcare lab, has been trying to achieve a zero-configuration solution, removing most handling while at the users home. Achieving a true zero-configuration strategy has proven hard to implement especially with regards to the coupling of the individual wireless sensors to a specific patient. This paper discusses the experiences gained so far with developing a prototype solution, including how zero-configuration was originally conceived, which problems were identified, and which solutions are being tested.