Data transmission for implantable microsystems using magnetic coupling

The authors consider design issues associated with the use of high-frequency inductive coupling, in the context of miniaturised, embedded electronic systems in medical diagnosis, environmental monitoring and other industrial applications. Recent developments in system-on-chip and lab-on-a-chip technologies have made the implementation of such miniaturised systems feasible, and pose an interesting set of problems with respect to low-power, short-range wireless communications. The design of a compact transmitter that maximises the magnetic component of the field is discussed and some early results are presented.