Analytical Propagation Models for Body Area Networks

Using wireless sensors worn on the body to monitor health information is a promising new application. To realize transceivers targeted for these applications, it is essential to understand the body area propagation channel. Several numerical, simulated, and measured body area propagation studies have recently been conducted. While many of these studies are useful for evaluating communication systems, they do not directly consider physical propagation mechanisms forcing researchers to rely on ad-hoc modeling approaches that are not always motivated by fundamental electromagnetic principles. This can result in less insight into expected propagation trends and inappropriate modeling choices. To address this problem, we have developed a simple and generic body area propagation model derived directly from Maxwell's equations. We then verify the resulting analytical model by comparing it with measurements around a body in an anechoic chamber. This paper describes the analytical derivation of this model and compares it with measurements of the electric field close to the body.