What is it about?
This paper presents a scheduling algorithm for point to point wireless power transfer system (WPTS) to sensor nodes of wireless body area networks (WBAN). Since the sensors of wireless body area networks are continuously monitoring and sending data to remote central unit, power crisis for these sensor nodes degrades the data transfer of patient monitoring system. Although energy harvesting from ambient sources using electromagnetic induction enhances the longevity of sensor performance, continuous operation in the primary side decreases the overall efficiency. With such paradigm in sight, a framework is proposed for increasing the primary battery longevity and reducing the transmission loss, inductive power is transmitted from primary to secondary unit using medium access control (MAC) protocols for underlying the centralized scheduling opportunity in a collision free scheme for channel access of rare yet critical emergency situation. In a preliminary study, the proposed scheduling for charging sensor nodes in a wireless body area network (WBAN) is evaluated in a case consideration.
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Why is it important?
We introduce a centralized scheduling scheme for efficient wireless charging of sensor nodes within Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs), a critical innovation in real-time patient monitoring systems. This is important as WBAN sensors must operate continuously and reliably, often in resource-constrained environments where energy depletion can severely impact health data availability and system responsiveness. Two significant contributions of this work are: a) the use of a MAC-based, collision-free communication protocol that ensures prioritized access for emergency charging scenarios—thereby enhancing reliability in life-critical contexts, and b) a strategic reduction in primary-side power transmission time, which extends battery longevity without compromising the responsiveness of the wireless power transfer system. These findings support the deployment of intelligent, energy-aware healthcare systems that can adapt dynamically to operational demands while safeguarding patient safety through robust power management.
Perspectives
I hope this article shows that energy efficiency is more than just a technical metric—it’s a matter of life and care, especially in healthcare systems where wearable and implantable devices must perform flawlessly in the background of human vulnerability. Through this work, I wanted to highlight how something as specific as wireless charging protocols can have ripple effects on reliability, safety, and user trust in remote health monitoring. It’s a technical contribution, yes, but one that touches on deeper questions about how we support health and dignity through engineering. More than anything else, I hope readers come away seeing the intersection of communication networks and human care as a space full of both challenge and promise.
Md Khurram Monir Rabby
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: A Scheduling Scheme for Efficient Wireless Charging of Sensor Nodes in WBAN, July 2017, Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE),
DOI: 10.1109/chase.2017.56.
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