Channel analysis and dynamic adaptation for energy-efficient WBSNs

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have recently emerged as a premier research topic, while the increasing use of this technology has empowered the development of Wireless Body Sensor Networks (WBSNs). In this environment, the power consumption of the sensor nodes has to be optimized in order to extend the battery duration but, at the same time, several factors like the body position and movement impact on the quality of the communication and the power transmission. In this paper, we analyze the effect of body positioning, body movement and body type in the wireless communication and the power requirements. The obtained results for real subjects performing common tasks has allowed the envisioning of a reactive mechanism to alleviate the negative effect of these factors and minimize the power consumption of the radio.