Ultra-Wideband Channel Measurement Characterization for Wireless Magnetic Resonance Imaging Applications

The growing wireless technology is providing new potential for emerging applications such as wireless communication in medical systems. Wireless transfer of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sensor data is a new field that will facilitate transfer of imaging data conventionally done through cables. Such application requires high-speed short-range connectivity. The recently emerging technology, ultra-wide band (UWB), is a promising choice for this application. While the conventional open-air UWB communication is well studied, the use of UWB in an MRI environment is not addressed. This paper provides results and analysis of a measurement campaign in makeshift MRI metallic barrel to provide an understanding of the characteristics of such unknown environment. The pathloss characteristic of MRI channel is analyzed and the results show that MRI UWB channels have much less pathloss compared with conventional UWB channels. This is caused by "waveguide effect". Moreover, the root mean square (RMS) delay analysis is presented. Different scenarios, such as empty MRI and loaded MRI were measured and compared. The results show that MRI channels have some unique properties and are different from previous proposed channel models, such as IEEE 802.15 3a CM channel models. These results can be used to conduct future UWB system design for MRI applications.