Wireless Sensor Network for Healthcare

This assignment presents a detailed project report on developing a Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) for healthcare applications. The project focuses on utilizing ZigBee technology to transmit vital information from sensors attached to the human body to a remote device. It discusses the challenges encountered during development, solutions implemented, and future innovations potential in various fields like medical healthcare, audio transmission, sports monitoring, and personal video devices.

COMPETENCY
DEMONSTRATION REPORT
Career Episode 3
NIDHI SATISH PATIL

CE 3.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Wireless Body Area Network
Location of the project: Vidyalankar Institute of Technology
Project Duration: 2013-2014
Organization: Vidyalankar Institute of Technology
Role and Designation during the time: Team Member
CE 3.2 Project Background
CE 3.2.1 Characteristics of the project
The area of work is the use of wireless sensor network (WSN). The use of the WSN
sensors have enabled a significant use of wide range of electronic applications. Recent
technological advancements has helped in the successful use of the sensors in monitoring of
healthcare. A WSN is composed of many units like sensors, microcontrollers, memory wireless
communication and an additional power source for the device. In relation to the traditional use of
the sensory network, the new WSN can be implemented in a secured ad-hoc manner. This
process makes them fault tolerant and robust in nature. Patient mortality occurs due to the fact
that the complete information is not often shared with the doctors in hare as soon as it is
received. To ensure that the patients can get the best treatment it is recommended that the doctors
receive the information with a short period of time.

CE 3.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
The main objectives which were followed during the successful implementation of the
project are as follows:
 To provide the user with a fast working device which will be able to take the necessary
measurement of the body vitals.
 To transfer the body vitals to the hospital servers as soon it has been recorded
 To reduce the amount of mortality due to the lack of information sharing
CE 3.2.3 My area of work
For the development of the project I was in charge of implementing the hardware module
of the product. This would include the sensor network and the ZigBee module to have the
connectivity for the transferring of the information. The information was collected using various
sensors which are to be connected to the body. This information would then be transferred to the
personals server which is an Intelligent Personal Digital Assistant (IPDA) holding the patient’s
authentication information. I was also in charge of the testing of the device on various people
and produce the final documentation of the project.

CE 3.2.4 Project Group
Figure 1: The hierarchy of the project
CE 3.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
I was responsible for implementing the hardware module of the project which consisted
of various sensors and microcontroller for collecting information from the body and transferring
them to the Intelligent Personal Digital Assistant (IPDA). This is in charge of holding the
patient’s authentication information and the data that is being transferred from the sensors. I had
then compiled the test results into a document to eventually submit it to my university.
CE 3.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 3.3.1 Comprehending the theory of the project
The whole project was composed of two parts: hardware and the backend software. From
the point of view of the working mechanism of the project, it can be divided into three tiers:
 First Tier is the core of the system that is the user. Wearable sensory devices are attached to
the patient’s body used to monitor different fluctuations in patient’s vital signs. This tier
consists of the following components:

 Second Tier is the personal server interface which is used by the WBAN node communicate
through the use communication protocol with the help of ZigBee. I used Zigbee 802.15.4 for
the transmission of data. It is used to collects vital signals from the wireless device, processes
them, and prioritizes the data transmission protocol of critical data during the sudden
fluctuations in the vitals of the patient’s condition
 Third Tier: Data is to be transferred using the communication channel of Zigbee 802.15.4
Heart Beat program of the project has been implemented on Keil Software.
CE 3.3.2 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
I had applied the basic engineering skills of biomedical department for the
implementation of the project. I aimed at developing the working model of the hardware portion
of the project. The skills used for the project were from the basic knowledge of electronics.
Additional information on the working procedure of the different components of the device was
studied from research journals.
CE 3.3.3 Accomplishment and task performed
The main components of the hardware module of the project are as follows:
 Power supply
o A power supply can bedefined as a device that connects the power source to the load
of the circuit. In our project we have used a power supply of 5v-12v.
 89c51 Microcontroller

o 89c51 Microcontroller is a programmable device which is used for controlling
purpose. It has 4 ports which are used as input or output. These ports are also
programmed as bit wise pattern.
 ADC0808
o The device can be used to eliminate the use for an external zero and a full scale
adjusting of the signals. The easy use of the interface can be used to provide a latched
version of output.
 MAX232
o I had used Max 232 which is a communications device used mainly for serial
commands
 Heart Beat Sensor
o Heart beat sensor has been designed for the use of providing digital output from the
heart beats when a fingertip has been placed on top of the sensor. When the module is
in a working condition the LED light. The flashes burn in unison with each of the
heart beats. The output produced can be easily connected to a microcontroller in a
direct manner which produces the measure in the form of beats per minute.
 Temperature Sensor
o I used the LM34 series which is an integrated-circuit temperature sensors. The LM34
has an output that is linearly proportional to the collected Fahrenheit temperature.
 LCD Display

o LCDs are available to display digits, messages and other important information.
 Zigbee Module
o ZigBee can be described as a suite of a high-levelled protocol which is used for
communication among different devices and to create a personal network that can be
created with the help of low powered radios.
Figure 2: Block diagram of the project.
CE 3.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
3.3.4.1 Issues
One of the major issue which I had faced during the implementation of the ZigBee
module was that the model was available in Proteus software Version 7.12. This delayed the
working timeline by a week. I also found that the ZigBee module was not using the required

band for the transmission of the data. The problem was due to the Wi-Fi signal interference with
the transmission signals.
3.3.4.2 Solutions
We asked for help form the professors of our department but they were unable to help us.
Some suggested that we use a third party module. . I eliminated the ZigBee module with Proteus
software Version 7.12 and concentrated on the transmission system. However the compatibility
of the modules did not match and the project development halted. I later on broke the project into
two parts: Transmission and Reception. This was also a problem as we were only able to
implement the transmission part of the project. Later on it was changed with a new module of the
ZigBee which helped in the transmission of the signals along with the Wi-Fi signal.
CE 3.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
The project if implemented on a large scale basis, keeping the basic aspect constant the
future innovations of Medical Heath Care, Wireless Audio, Sports and Fitness Monitoring,
Personal Video Devices and Mobile Device Integration. All this are the visual aspect of the
future innovation of the device.
CE 3.3.6 Collaborative work
For this project I had collaborated with my team member and my departmental project
supervisor. The equipment’s were collected and studied alongside the theoretical understanding
of the working procedure of the sensors and the connectivity using ZigBee. My supervisor
advised me to study some research journals of the topic which provided a wide range of
applications.

CE 3.4 Project Review
CE 3.4.1 Project Overview
After the implementation of the product it was found to be a very useful piece of
technology. Patients, medical personnel and society can gain a lot of potential profit in terms of
keeping a track on the health of the individuals. Soon the sensors will be able to be attached to
the skin and the individual being monitored will be able to move around freely. Slowly the
project will be able to become a fully operational Wireless Body Area Network.
CE 3.4.2 My contribution to work
For the implementation of the project I was in charge of producing the hardware module
of the project. The hardware consisted of a set of sensors and microcontrollers which has been
programmed to collect vital information from the human body and transmit them to a remote
device authenticated to the user. I allocated the task and guided the members for the
accomplishment of the system development and I was continuously being supervised by my
project guide and head of department. After this I had conducted test of the product and collected
information from various subjects. At the end I was able to compile a complete documentation of
the working and the development of the product to be submitted to my university.