Wireless body area network node localization using small-scale spatial information

IEEE J Biomed Health Inform. 2013 May;17(3):715-26. doi: 10.1109/jbhi.2012.2237178.

Abstract

We present a new scheme to automatically identify the locations of wearable sensor nodes in a wireless body area network (WBAN). Instantaneous atmospheric air pressure readings are compared to map nodes in physical space. This enhancement enables unassisted sensor node placement, providing a practical solution to obtain and continuously monitor node locations without anchor nodes or beacons. To validate this localization scheme, a statistical analysis is conducted on a set of air pressure sensors and a prototype WBAN to examine the performance and limitations. Based on a 60 cm separation between nodes, indicative of the expected separation between limbs and placement positions along a patient's body, the measurements consistently exceeded p -value reliability within a 95% confidence interval. We also present and experimentally demonstrate an enhancement aiming to reduce false-positive (Type I) errors in conventional accelerometer-based on-body fall detection schemes. Our statistical analysis has shown that by continuously monitoring the patient's limb positions, the WBAN would be better able to discriminate “fall-like” motions from actual falls.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accelerometry
  • Accidental Falls
  • Air Pressure
  • Clothing*
  • Extremities / physiology
  • Humans
  • Locomotion / physiology
  • Posture / physiology
  • Remote Sensing Technology / instrumentation*
  • Remote Sensing Technology / methods
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted*