Digital modulation and achievable information rates of thru-body haptic communications

Natalie Hanisch, Massimiliano Pierobon

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The ever increasing biocompatibility and pervasive nature of wearable and implantable devices demand novel sustainable solutions to realize their connectivity, which can impact broad application scenarios such as in the defense, biomedicine, and entertainment fields. Where wireless electromagnetic communications are facing challenges such as device miniaturization, energy scarcity, limited range, and possibility of interception, solutions not only inspired but also based on natural communication means might result into valid alternatives. In this paper, a communication paradigm where digital information is propagated through the nervous system is proposed and analyzed on the basis of achievable information rates. In particular, this paradigm is based on an analytical framework where the response of a system based on haptic (tactile) information transmission and ElectroEncephaloGraphy (EEG)-based reception is modeled and characterized. Computational neuroscience models of the somatosensory signal representation in the brain, coupled with models of the generation and propagation of somatosensory stimulation from skin mechanoreceptors, are employed in this paper to provide a proof-of-concept evaluation of achievable performance in encoding information bits into tactile stimulation, and decoding them from the recorded brain activity. Based on these models, the system is simulated and the resulting data are utilized to train a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier, which is finally used to provide a proof-of-concept validation of the system performance in terms of information rates against bit error probability at the reception.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationDisruptive Technologies in Sensors and Sensor Systems
EditorsRussell D. Hall, Misty Blowers, Jonathan Williams
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510609136
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017
EventDisruptive Technologies in Sensors and Sensor Systems 2017 - Anaheim, United States
Duration: Apr 11 2017Apr 12 2017

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume10206
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Other

OtherDisruptive Technologies in Sensors and Sensor Systems 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAnaheim
Period4/11/174/12/17

Keywords

  • Body area networks
  • Communication system modeling
  • Device-To-device networks
  • Electroencephalogram
  • Haptic communications
  • Neural field theory
  • Somatosensory evoked potentials
  • Wearable sensor networks

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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