Stochastic spectral occupancy modeling: A body area network perspective in ISM band

Medical ICT is one of the most interesting and challenging research areas for both industry and academia. Wireless body area network (WBAN) applications for health-care systems are rapidly being developed and deployed. In an unlicensed frequency band like industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band, WBANs will encounter tough competition for resources because several other wireless technologies share the band. Spectrum occupancy evaluations (SOEs) provide a statistical insight into the resource utilization patterns. This research work is focused on stochastic modeling of such spectrum occupancies in order to statistically describe the possible interference a WBAN may face. Modeling is based upon the measurement data acquired from accident and emergency ward, Oulu University hospital. Stochastic models for channel occupancies and spectrum resource occupancy are provided. The consistency of model produced data with actual data is validated through exact and asymptotic statistical hypothesis tests.