Objectives

We will investigate novel algorithms and development principles to address autonomous resilient network communications, high precision localization and sensing of vital signs and imaging of human body within a single framework of UWB technology. We will investigate:

• time and angle echo based schemes for high accuracy localization and tracking
• short range sensing of vital signs and imaging for health status monitoring and safety
• improved ultra low power and reliable wireless sensor networks
• context aware and distributed signal processing
• resilient networking and robust communications for in-vivo and ex-vivo applications
• self-configuration autonomous in-vivo/ex-vivo networks
• demonstrate the principles and concepts in both software and hardware prototypes in selected person confined applications
• produce at least one publication per man-year in top peer-reviewed international publications(7 x 3 + 15 = 36).
• produce 7 PhD man-years and 15 Postdoc man-years
• disseminate know-how to industry.

Summary

The project will develop ultra wideband (UWB) technology for improved wireless health technology, for both improved network communication and improved and possibly novel medical applications. Three major research directions are pursued, namely short range sensing and imaging, improved sensitivity for short range localization and tracking, and distributed signal and communications for dynamic autonomous networks for both in-vivo and ex-vivo medical applications.

• UWB sensing/imaging of objects and tissues inside the human body by the use of electromagnetic waves will be studied. The proposed work on sensing will advance in two directions, namely high penetration in living human tissues and precision focus of beams with millimeter range. The sensing will focus on measuring vital signs parameters (blood pressure, etc.), while radar imaging techniques will be used for tissue imaging.
• Using impulse based UWB wireless sensor networks, algorithms for improved sensitivity of localization and tracking of sensors and actuators inside and outside the human body will be developed. A distance engine based on active echo and angel-of-arrival is proposed with integrating impulse radio transceivers. The proposed method will have high precision (mm) and significant improvement compared to the state-of-the-art solutions.
• Distributed signal processing and communication algorithms for dynamic autonomous network is considered. We will develop algorithms for joint optimization of source-channel coding and modulation in a cross layer approach. Theoretical bounds will be established, where different constraints are considered. Furthermore bio-inspired architecture, cognitive wireless sensor network, multi-object optimization based on distance localization, quality of service metric, routing, and interference due to electromagnetic fields will be studied.
• The principles and concepts in both software and hardware prototypes in selected application will be demonstrated.