Wearable wireless body area network for aeronautical applications

The desire for advancement of human space exploration brings the need for an adaptive, next generation health monitoring system in the form of a Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN). The application of wireless networks has yet to be utilized in the space industry allowing for the untapped potential for next generation devices that increase mission awareness and safety. WBAN was designed to meet the requirements of space exploration, allowing for ease of movement and flexibility through non-restrictive components and a wireless network. The proposed system consists of two subsystems: a sensor network made up of a microcontroller, a Bluetooth transceiver, and an external antenna; and an Android device used as the data monitoring system. The Bluetooth transceiver transmits data from the sensors, via the external flexible antenna to the Android tablet. The data is collected and displayed via a custom-built application on the tablet. The application also keeps and monitors the total power of the system allowing for continuous vital sign monitoring.