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REDTACTON
A SEMINAR REPORT
Submitted by
MOHAMMED FASIL P
in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree
of
BTECH DEGREE
in
COMPUTER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
COCHIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY KOCHI - 682022
SEPTEMBER 2010
Division of Computer Engineering
School of Engineering
Cochin University of Science & Technology
Kochi-682022
_________________________________________________________
CERTIFICATE
Certified that this is a bonafied record of the seminar work titled
REDTACTON
Done by
Mohammed Fasil P
of VI semester Computer Science & Engineering in the year 2010 in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Degree of Bachelor of Technology
in Computer Science & Engineering of Cochin University of Science & Technology
Dr.David Peter S
Head of the Division
Mrs. Anupama
Seminar Guide
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I thank GOD almighty for guiding me throughout the seminar. I would
like to thank all those who have contributed to the completion of the
seminar and helped me with valuable suggestions for improvement. I am
extremely grateful to Dr. David Peter, HOD, Division of Computer
Science, for providing me with best facilities and atmosphere for the
creative work guidance and encouragement. I would like to thank my
coordinator, Mr. Sudeep Elayidom, Sr. Lecturer, Division of Computer
Science,
and my guide
Mrs. Anupama , Lecturer , Division of
Computer Science , SOE for all help and support extend to me. I thank
all Staff members of my college and friends for extending their
cooperation during my seminar. Above all I would like to thank my
parents without whose blessings; I would not have been able to
accomplish my goal.
MOHAMMED FASIL P
ABSTRACT
RedTacton is a new innovative Human Area Networking
technology that turns the surface of the human body as a safe, high
speed network transmission path.
RedTacton takes a different technical approach. Instead of relying
on electromagnetic waves or light waves to carry data, RedTacton
uses weak electric fields on the surface of the body as a
transmission medium.
Using RedTacton, communication starts when terminals carried by
the user or embedded in devices are linked in various combinations
according to the user's natural, physical movements.
Communication is possible using any body surfaces, such as the
hands, fingers, arms, feet, face, legs or toes. RedTacton works
through shoes and clothing as well.
A transmission path is formed at the moment a part of the human
body comes in contact with a RedTacton transceiver, physically
separating ends the contact and thus ends communication.
A RedTacton transmitter couples with extremely weak electric
fields on the surface of the body. The weak electric fields pass
through the body to a RedTacton receiver, where the weak electric
fields affect the optical properties of an electro-optic crystal. The
extent to which the optical properties are changed is detected by
laser light which is then converted to an electrical signal by a
detector circuit.
NTT developed super sensitive Photonic electric field sensor for
detecting minute electric field emitted on the surface of the human
body.
RedTacton - Human Area Network Technology
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Introduction
1.1
What Is RedTacton?
1
1.2
History of HAN
1
1.3
Overview of RedTacton
2
Narration
2.1 How RedTacton works?
6
2.2 Mechanism of communication with RedTacton
7
2.3 RedTacton TRANSCEIVER
9
2.4 FUNCTIONAL FEATURES
10
2.5 System Safety
11
2.6 Features of RedTacton
12
2.7 Comparison with other Human communication methods
16
Applications
3.1 Six major application field
17
3.2 Comparison With Other Networks
19
3.3 Comparison with other network technologies
20
3.4 Advantage Over BLUETOOTH
20
3.5 PROTOTYPE Devices
23
3.6 Plans for Commercialization
24
Conclusion
25
References
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 WHAT IS REDTACTON?
Human society is entering an era of omnipresent computing, when networks
are seamlessly interconnected and information is always accessible at our fingertips.
The practical implementation of omnipresent services requires three levels of
connectivity:
•
Wide Area Networks (WAN), typically via the Internet, to remotely connect
all types of severs and terminals;
•
Local Area Networks (LAN), typically via Ethernet or WiFi connectivity
among all the information and communication appliances in offices and
homes; and
•
Human Area Networks (HAN) for connectivity to personal information, media
and communication appliances within the much smaller sphere of ordinary
daily activities-- the last one meter.
NTT's RedTacton is a break-through technology that, for the first time, enables
reliable high-speed HAN.
Human Area Networking (HAN) is a technology that safely turns the surface of the
human body into a data transmission path at speeds up to 10 Mbps between any two
points on the body.
HISTORY OF HAN
1.2
In the past, Bluetooth, infrared communications (IrDA), radio frequency ID
systems (RFID), and other technologies have been proposed to solve the "last
meter" connectivity problem. However, they each have various fundamental
technical limitations that constrain their usage, such as the precipitous fall-off in
transmission speed in multi-user environments producing network congestion.
•
The concept of intra-body communication was first proposed by IBM in 1996.
•
This communication mechanism was later evaluated and reported by several
research groups around the world.
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All those reported technologies had two limitations.
1. The operating range through the body was limited to a few tens
of centimeters.
2. The top communication speed was only 40 bit/s!!
These limitations were overcome by NTT (Nippon Telegraph and
Telephone Corporation) located in Tokyo, Japan by using photonic electric field
sensors and finally came up with a human area networking technology called
‘RedTacton’
1.3
OVERVIEW OF REDTACTON
•
RedTacton is a new innovative Human Area Networking technology that
turns the surface of the human body as a safe, high speed network
transmission path.
•
RedTacton takes a different technical approach. Instead of relying on
electromagnetic waves or light waves to carry data, RedTacton uses weak
electric fields on the surface of the body as a transmission medium.
•
Using RedTacton, communication starts when terminals carried by the
user or embedded in devices are linked in various combinations according
to the user's natural, physical movements.
•
Communication is possible using any body surfaces, such as the hands,
fingers, arms, feet, face, legs or toes. RedTacton works through shoes and
clothing as well.
•
Technically, it is completely distinct from wireless and infrared. A
transmission path is formed at the moment a part of the human body
comes in contact with a RedTacton transceiver, physically separating ends
the contact and thus ends communication.
•
A RedTacton transmitter couples with extremely weak electric fields on
the surface of the body. The weak electric fields pass through the body to a
RedTacton receiver, where the weak electric fields affect the optical
properties of an electro-optic crystal. The extent to which the optical
properties are changed is detected by laser light which is then converted to
an electrical signal by a detector circuit.
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RedTacton - Human Area Network Technology
•
NTT developed super sensitive Photonic electric field sensor for detecting
minute electric field emitted on the surface of the human body.
The electro-optic sensor has three key features:
ü It can measure electric fields from a device under test (DUT) without
contacting it, which minimizes measurement disturbance.
ü Ultra wide-band measurement is possible.
ü It supports one-point contact measurement that is independent of the
ground,
Which is the most significant feature in the present context.
NTT utilized this third feature to fabricate an intrabody communication
receiver
For its human area networking technology, which is called RedTacton.
Meaning Of RedTacton?
TACTON: - “touch-act-on” Meaning “action triggered by touching”.
RED: - It is an auspicious color according to Japanese culture
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RedTacton transceiver
Figure: 1.1
Figure 1.1 shows a photograph of the RedTacton transceiver connected to a PDA and a
block diagram of the RedTacton transceiver developed by NTT.
•
The transmitter consists of a transmitter circuit that induces electric fields
toward the body and a data sense circuit, which distinguishes transmitting and
receiving modes by detecting both transmission and reception data and outputs
control signals corresponding to the two modes to enable two-way
communication.
•
Implementation of receive-first half-duplex communication scheme that sends
only after checking to make sure that there is no data to receive in order to
avoid packet collisions
•
RedTacton takes advantage of the long-overlooked electric field that
surrounds the human body.
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CHAPTER 2
NARRATION
2.1 HOW REDTACTON WORKS?
Figure 2.1 shows the working of the RED TACTON device over the surface of our
body
1. The RedTacton transmitter induces a weak electric field on the surface of the
body.
2. The RedTacton receiver senses changes in the weak electric field on the
surface of the body caused by the transmitter.
3. RedTacton relies upon the principle that the optical properties of an electrooptic
crystal can vary according to the changes of a weak electric field.
4. RedTacton detects changes in the optical properties of an electro-optic crystal
using a laser and converts the result to an electrical signal in a optical receiver
circuit
ü Multiple transceivers can be used simultaneously. This is because RedTacton uses
a proprietary CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection)
protocol that allows multiple access with the same medium from multiple nodes.
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RedTacton - Human Area Network Technology
2.2 MECHANISM OF COMMUNICATION WITH REDTACTON
Data is received using a photonic electric field sensor that combines an
electro- optic crystal and a laser light to detect fluctuations in the minute electric field.
The naturally occurring electric field induced on the surface of the human body
dissipates into the earth. Therefore, this electric field is exceptionally faint and
unstable.
The photonic electric field sensor developed by NTT enables weak electric
fields to be measured by detecting changes in the optical properties of an electro-optic
crystal with a laser beam.
Figure: 2.2 Figure shows the various electric fields on the surface of our body induced by the
RedTacton device. Only a portion of the induced electric field is sensed by the receiving
RedTacton device. The remaining electric fields are dissipated to the ground.
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RedTacton - Human Area Network Technology
The naturally occurring electric field induced on the surface of the human
body dissipates into the earth. Therefore, this electric field is exceptionally faint and
unstable. The photonic electric field sensor developed by NTT enables weak electric
fields to be measured by detecting changes in the optical properties of an electro-optic
crystal with a laser beam.
Fig.2.3.Figure illustrating the transfer of data
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2.3 RED TACTON TRANSCEIVER
Figure below shows the block diagram of a RED TACTON transceiver. The
signal from the interface is sent to the data sense circuit and the transmitter circuit.
The data sense circuit senses the signal and if the data is present it sends control signal
to the transmitter which activates the transmitter circuit. The transmitter circuit varies
the electric field on the surface of our body. This change in the electric field is
detected by the electro-optic sensor. The output of the electro-optic sensor is given to
the detector circuit, which in turn given to the interface of the receiving RED
TACTON device.
Fig.2.4. Block diagram of Red TACTON transceiver
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2.4 FUNCTIONAL FEATURES
1. A communications path can be created with a simple touch, automatically
initiating the flow of data between a body-centric electronic device and a
computer that is embedded in the environment. For example, two people
equipped with RedTacton devices could exchange data just by shaking hands.
A wide range of natural human actions grasping, sitting down, walking, or
standing in a particular place can be used to trigger RedTacton to start a
networked process.
2. Using a RedTacton electro-optic sensor, two-way communication is supported
between any two points on the body at a throughput of up to 10 Mbps.
Communication is not just confined to the surface of the body, but can travel
through the user's clothing to a RedTacton device in a pocket or through shoes
to communicate with a RedTacton device embedded in the floor. Unlike
wireless technologies, the transmission speed does not deteriorate even in the
presence of large crowds of people all communicating at the same time in
meeting rooms, auditoriums or stores. Because the body surface is the
transmission path, increasing the number of connected users directly increases
the available number of individual channels.
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3. RedTacton can utilize a wide range of materials as a transmission medium, as
long as the material is conductive and dielectric, which includes water and
other liquids, various metals, certain plastics, glass, etc.
Using ordinary structures such as tables and walls that are familiar and readily
available, one could easily construct a seamless communication environment
at very low cost using Red Tacton. (Note that constraints are imposed by the
length and environment of the propagating conductor, and by the thickness of
the dielectric.)
2.5 System Safety
NO current flows into human body from RedTacton devices. RedTacton uses
the Electric field that occurs naturally on the surface of the human body for
Communication. Transmitter and receiver electrodes are covered with an Insulating
films. RedTacton is in conformity to the "Radiofrequency-exposure Protection”
standard (RCR STD-38)" issued by the Association of Radio Industries and
Businesses
(ARIB)
Figure 2.6
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RedTacton - Human Area Network Technology
2.6 FEATURES OF REDTACTON
RedTacton has three main functional features.
1.
Touching, gripping, sitting, walking, stepping and other human movements
can be the triggers for unlocking or locking, starting or stopping equipment, or
obtaining data.
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RedTacton - Human Area Network Technology
Fig.2.8.Figure illustrating that RedTacton device can be triggered by touching, gripping,
sitting, walking and stepping.
2.
Bandwidth does not deteriorate even with duplex operations and simultaneous
access by many users. Duplex, interactive communication is possible
possible at a maximum
speed of 10Mbps. Because the transmission path is on the surface of the body,
transmission speed does not deteriorate in congested areas where many people are
communicating at the same time.
Maximum communication speed may be slower than 10Mbps
10Mbps depending on the usage
environment.
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3.
RedTacton can utilize a wide range of materials as a transmission
medium, as long as the material is conductive and dielectric, which includes
water and other liquids, various metals, certain plastics, glass, etc. Conductors
and dielectrics may also be used in combination.
Conductor
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Dielectrics
Both conductor and dielectric
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2.7 COMPARISON WITH OTHER HUMAN COMMUNICATION METHODS
Figure 2.10
Ø RedTacton does not require the electrode to be in direct contact with the skin.
Ø With the electric amperage method, electrode must be in direct contact with
the skin.
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APPLICATIONS
CHAPTER 3
3.1 SIX
MAJOR
APPLICATION
FIELDS
USING
REDTACTON
ARE
INTRODUCED:
3.1.1 One to One services
With the ability to send attribute data from personal information devices worn
on the body to computers embedded in the environment, one-to-one services could be
implemented that are tailored to the individual needs of the user.
3.1.2 Intuitive operation of personal information
Communication is triggered by totally natural human actions and
behavior, so there is no need to insert smart cards, connect cables, tune frequencies, or
any of the other inconveniences usually associated with today's electronic devices.
Fig.3.3. A simple handshake can transfer data.
3.1.3 Device personalization
Setup, registration, and configuration information for an individual user
can all be uploaded to a device the instant the device is touched, eliminating the need
for the device to be registered or configured in advance.
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3.1.4 New behavior patterns
Tables, walls, floors and chairs can all act as conductors and dielectrics,
turning furniture and other architectural elements into a new class of transmission
medium. For example, a user could have instant access to the Internet merely by
placing a laptop onto a conductive tabletop.
3.1.5 Marketing applications
When a consumer stands in front of an advertising panel, advertising and
information matching his or her attributes is automatically displayed. By touching or
standing in front of items they are interested in, consumers can get more in-depth
information.
Fig.3.4. A customer touching the advertising panel and getting information
about that advertisement through RedTacton device
1.1.6 Security applications
RedTacton could be installed on doors, cabinets and other locations calling for
secure access, such that each secure access could be initiated and authenticated
with a simple touch. At the same time, all the transaction details and relevant
user attributes (personal identity, security clearance, etc.) could be logged by
the security system. An Alarm sounds automatically to avoid accidental
medicine ingestion Touch advertising and receive information.
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3.2 COMPARISON WITH OTHER NETWORKS
The chart below shows the positioning of RedTacton with respect to existing
communication technologies. The focus on ubiquitous service has brought about the
shortening of distances in communication. RedTacton is positioned as the last 1m
solution to ultimate close-range communication. Wireless communication creates
connections when signals arrive, allowing for easy connections because connectors
are unnecessary. However, seen from another aspect, the arriving signals can be
intercepted, so security becomes an issue.
Wired communication transmits data between two connection points, so
interception is difficult and security can be considered to be high. However,
connectors and cables are a nuisance. Taking the above points in account, RedTacton
is situated directly between wireless and wired communication. In other words,
RedTacton allows for easy connection without connectors, while at the same time
allowing transmission of data only between two contact points. It thus has the feature
of being difficult to intercept.
Fig.3.5.Figure shows the comparison of RED TACTON device with other networks with
respect to distance
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3.3 COMPARISON WITH OTHER NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES
Evaluation criteria
Wireless LAN
Infrared
Red
Tacton
Transfer Speed
(Can DVD-quality images be sent?)
P
E
P
E
E
E
E
E
E
Performance deterioration during periods of
congestion (Simultaneous use by many
people in small spaces)
Duplex data transfer (Interactive
processing)
Performance:
E: Excellent,
P: Poor
3.4 ADVANTAGE OVER BLUETOOTH
The system envisioned by NTT, utilizes a conversion method which takes
digital data into a stream of low-power digital pulses. These can be easily transmitted
and read back through the human electric field.
While it is true that similar personal area networks are already accessible by
using radio-based technologies like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, this new wireless technology
claims to be able to send data over the human skin surface at transfer speeds of up to
10Mbps, or better than a broadband T1 connection. Receiving data in such a system is
more complicated because the strength of the pulses sent through the electric field is
so low.
RedTacton solves this issue by utilizing a technique called electric field
photonics: A laser is passed though an electro-optic crystal, which deflects light
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differently according to the strength of the field across it. These deflections are
measured and converted back into electrical signals to retrieve the transmitted data.
According to Tom Zimmerman, inventor of the IBM personal networking system,
body-based networking is more secure than broadcast systems such as Bluetooth,
which have a range of about 10m.The issue is that with Bluetooth, it is difficult to rein
in the signal and restrict it to the device you are trying to connect to. But in a busy
place there could be hundreds of Bluetooth devices within range.
Moreover, body-based networking seems to allow for more natural
interchanges of information between humans, as only when you are in true proximity
you can make this system work. There are some specific applications that would
appear as being ideal matches for RedTacton-like technologies.
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Advantages
•
Data transfer is faster and easier through this technology.
•
Data loss during transfer is less.
•
Use of minimum amount of power (of some mili volt range).
•
Security is more.
Disadvantages
•
It can be useful within few centimeters.
•
Effects on human body is still under research.
Scope of research
•
Communication between electronic devices on the human body
(wearable computers) and ones embedded in our everyday environments
can be
•
possible
Wired connection can be replaced.
• In the crowded areas such as meeting room due to many users
throughput
and wireless LAN
can be reduced by packet collision in case of Bluetooth
using RED TACTON this problem can be
solved.
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• 3.5 PROTOTYPE DEVICES
Fig.3.6. Security devices whose development has been completed
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Fig.3.7.Transmission devices whose development is in progress
3.6 PLANS FOR COMMERCIALIZATION
•
It seems like there was a press release event where they demoed the
technology. The first demo was a PDA medication assistant that shows
instructions relevant to touched medicine bottles. The second was a museum
guide PDA whose contents was fed from a floor-embedded transmitter
through a user’s feet.
•
NTT plans to develop transceivers with an emphasis on portability that are
more compact and less power consumption. Through field testing, NTT will
continue to investigate and improve the robustness of Human Area
Networking and human body surface communication applications.
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CHAPTER 4
CONCLUSION
RedTacton is an exciting new technology for human area networking. We
have
developed a transceiver that uses the human body as a data transmission
medium based on an electric-field sensor that uses an electro-optic crystal and laser
light. Using this transceiver, we succeeded in achieving 10BASE communication in
accordance with IEEE 802.3 through a human body from one hand to the other hand.
While our immediate objective is to implement a RedTacton system supporting twoway intrabody communication at a rate of 10 Mbit/s between any two points on the
body, our longer-term plans include developing a mass-market transceiver interface
supporting PDAs and notebook computers while continuing efforts to reduce the size
and power consumption of the transceiver to enhance its portability.
NTT is committed to using its comprehensive commercialization functions to
push this research out to the marketplace as quickly as possible while moving ahead
With tests and trials in collaboration with commercial partners as necessary.
The need for artificial body implants to communicate with each other as well
as to report back to a portable device could have quite some value. In fact, according
to other researchers, the most important application for body-based networking may
well be for these type of communications within, rather than on the surface of, or
outside, the body.
RedTacton technology is expected to dominate Bluetooth technology in the
future. RedTacton technology could put the use of cables to an end. The problem
faced by the RedTacton technology is the cost of development. This technology
brings a new dimension of communication which effectively links the user to anyone
he wants to communicate. Since it provides high speed communication, it can provide
seamless service wherever, whenever and whoever uses it.
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REFERENCES:
•
www.redtacton.com
• www.masternewmedia.org
• www.en.wikipedia.org
• http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/print/2596
• http://gizmodo.com
• http://www.authorstream.com
• http://sniptools.com
• http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Redtacton/166398
• http://www.scribd.com
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