Power challenges in wireless body area network for mobile health powered by human energy harvesting: A survey

Abstract

Objectives: This survey of energy harvesting techniques is carried out with an aim to select the best combination of energy harvesting techniques in Wireless Body Area Networks (WBAN). In this paper the scope and demands of WBAN in mobile health and the power requirements is discussed. Methods: The modern and future trends in healthcare have been reviewed to conclude that the Wireless body area network has become a leading solution in mobile health. The prominent use of wireless sensor networks and miniaturization of electronic and electrical devices on a regular basis has authorized the progress of wireless body area networks. Findings: These devices are used to provide a health monitoring on a continuous basis and real time feedback to the user and medical personnel. As these devices are wireless in nature and wide variety of sensors are available so it offers many innovative ways to improve systems involved in healthcare and quality of life. The biggest challenge in use of WBAN is the battery power requirement. Scavenging of energy in human environment has been focused on locating new tremendous ways to charge body nodes in human environment. In such networks the quality of service by considering various parameters like latency, throughput and packet loss is most important. Application/Improvements: It has been concluded that various energy harvesting techniques are to be incorporated into the nodes at the time of node designing. The intelligent energy optimizing algorithms are to be used. The harvesting technique most suitable for healthcare monitoring applications is piezoelectric harvester as it provides significant power to miniaturizing electronic devices while being small and efficient.