Bidirectional Inductive On-body Network (BIONET) for Warfighter Physiological Status Monitoring (WPSM)

A unique, body-worn, personal area network using lightweight, inductively-coupled (near-field) software-defined-radio (SDR) links to communicate physiologic-sensor and geo-position information is essential to the reduction of soldier heat-injuries, enables advanced physiologic research and provides a means of significantly increasing the quality and effectiveness of training for dismounted Warfighters. The near-field operating characteristic of the system reduces interference to nearby electronic systems, is difficult to detect at standoff ranges, facilitates frequency-reuse and provides robust, low-cost on-body data-communication capability. This Phase II project will leverage and advance prior work to adapt and combine lightweight, purpose-built, SDR and antenna structures with key, information-display and intra-squad radio-equipment elements to produce the foundation of an extensible, integrated network comprised of near-field and far-field radio networks. The work performed in Phase I developed digital signal processing and SDR techniques to minimize power consumption and reduce component-count. Study of novel power-source solutions and enclosure-design was executed. The technology can be applied in government and private sector arenas, including dismounted Warfighter training programs and monitoring of athletes, first-responder teams, certain Homeland Defense operations, patients, the elderly, recuperating animals and other ambulatory subjects.