Electrostatic analysis and design of a cable-free body area network of sensor nodes using 2D communication over conductive fabric sheets

In recent years, wearable sensing networks have been the focus of the biotechnology industry. A continuing the question is how best to integrate electronic components with the human body. The authors have devised a body area network that relies on two innovations; the use of conductive fabrics, and the use of DC powerline communication. By combining these innovations, we have created a truly wearable network that allows full generality of sensor location, spatial distribution of the medium to reduce overall bulk, and maintains sufficiently low line impedance for simultaneous power and data delivery over a single conductor. We have created a method for analysis of the transmission properties of conductive fabric garments. In addition, we evaluate the basic transmission line characteristics of the garment. Finally, we present a verification of our model and initial experimental results.