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INTRODUCTION
1.1 OBJECTIVE
RedTacton is a Human Area Networking technology under development that uses the surface of the human body as a safe, high speed network transmission path. It is completely distinct from wireless and infrared technologies as it uses the minute electric field emitted on the surface of the human body. It is a wireless technology having advantages over previous methods like Bluetooth and infrared.
1.3 HISTORY
Human society is entering an era of ubiquitous computing, when networks are seamlessly interconnected and information is always accessible at our fingertips. The practical implementation of ubiquitous 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 Wi-Fi 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 highspeed HAN. 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.
2. REDTACTON
RedTacton is a new Human Area Networking technology that uses the surface of the human body as a safe, high speed network transmission path. The name Tacton has originated, as the technology involves touch and action. The word red indicates warm and cordial communications. RedTacton enables the first practical Human Area Network between body-centered electronic devices and PCs or other network devices embedded in the environment via a new generation of user interface based on totally natural human actions such as touching, holding, sitting, walking, or stepping on a particular spot. RedTacton was developed by a seven-person research team led by Yuichi Kado, executive manager of the Smart Devices Laboratory at NTT's Microsystems Integration Laboratories, in Atsugi, west of Tokyo. Using a transmitter embedded in, say, a PDA, REDTACTON sends a 5-volt pulse along the surface of the body. The human body shunts most of this electricity to the ground, resulting in a weak electric field that can be modulated to carry signals. The receiver is located either on another part of the body - a component of a hands-free headset, perhaps - or nearby, say, in an acquaintance's PDA. As it senses modulations in the electric field, the receiver decodes them to recover the data.
4.1 Working of RedTacton:Using a new super-sensitive photonic electric field sensor, RedTacton can achieve duplex communication over the human body at a maximum speed of 10 Mbps. 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 electro-optic 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.
Fig 4.2 Photo electric field equation The electric field Es that reaches the receiver is Es = Ea (Eb + Ec)
RedTacton doesnt introduce an electric current into the body - instead; it makes use of the minute electric field that occurs naturally on the surface of every human body. A transmitter attached to a device, such as an MP3 player, uses this field to send data by modulating the field minutely in the same way that a radio carrier wave is modulated to carry information. Receiving data is more complicated because the strength of the electric field involved is so low. RedTacton gets around this using a technique called electric field photonics: A laser is passed though an electro-optic crystal, which deflects light 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. 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.
4.2 Requirement of RedTacton: Each device we wish to communicate with must be equipped with a RedTacton transceiver that is able to detect the messages programmed into our own device. We are able to program our devices to exchange specific types of information by using a programmable transceiver that connects to any computer and allows users to customize their transmission settings through a graphical user interface. Once our transmitter, is programmed to recognize and exchange information with other devices we select, we will be able to communicate with them easily.
5. HUMAN SAFETY
RedTacton transceiver electrodes are covered with an insulating film, so there is no way that current from RedTacton can flow into the user's body. Note however that, just like the weak electromagnetic waves produced by most common electrical appliances, a faint modulating displacement current does pass through the body when using RedTacton. The level of displacement current involved is considered harmless and is in full compliance with the "Radio Frequency-Exposure Protection Standard established by the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB).
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6. ADVANTAGES
RedTacton does not require the electrode to be in direct contact with the skin. Can transmit data at a rate higher than that of peer technologies. (max. of 10Mbps) RedTacton transceivers are programmable and we can decide what to share with whom and what devices you communicate with. Each communication occurs in separate channels. Transmission speed does not deteriorate even though the number of users increases. Data loss during transfer is less Use of minimum amount of power (of some milli-volt range) Security is more. No problem of hackers. It is very hard to pick up stray electronic signals radiating from the body. More secure than Bluetooth. Superior than infrared technology & Wi-Fi.
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Using REDTACTON, communication starts when terminals carried by the user or embedded in devices are linked in various combinations through physical contact according to the human's natural movements.
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Duplex, interactive communication is 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. Communication speed can deteriorate in crowded spaces due to a lack of bandwidth. Device drivers can be downloaded instantly and executable programs can be quickly sent.
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7.3 ANY MEDIA: In addition to the human body, various conductors and dielectrics can be used as transmission media. Conductors and dielectrics may also be used in combination. In addition to the human body, various conductors and dielectrics can be used as transmission media. Conductors and dielectrics may also be used in combination. Conductors
Fig 7.3.3
Fig 7.3.4
Fig 7.3.5
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8. POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS
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8.1.2 Marketing applications(context awareness) 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 indepth information. Brochures only of products of interest to the visitor can be downloaded automatically at trade shows. Inside a shop, shoppers can view related information on their mobile terminals immediately after touching a product.
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Fig 8.2 Touch a printer Touch a printer to print:Print out where you want just by touching the desired printer with one hand and a PC or digital camera with the other hand to make the link. Downloading device drivers at first touch reduces complicated configurations. Other examples:-Display notebook PC screen on projectors with just a touch. -Transfer songs to portable music players from notebook PCs with just a touch.
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8.3 INSTANT PRAIVATE DATA EXCHANGE:8.3.1 Instataneous private network via personal handshake:By shaking hands, personal profile data can be exchanged between mobile terminals on the users, Electronic exchange of business cards. Communication can be kept private using authentication and encryption technologies.
Fig 8.3 Personal Handshake OTHER EXAMPLES:Group photos taken with digital cameras are instantly transferred to individual's mobile terminal. Diagrams written on white boards during meetings are transferred to individual's mobile terminals on the spot.
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Your own phone number is allocated and billing commences. Automatic importing of personal address book and call history. The PC is configured to the user's specifications simply by touching the mouse. Room temperature and lighting are customized when a switch in the living room is pressed.
8.4.2 Personalization of automobiles:Just sitting in the seat triggers the car to laod all its presets, just the way u like. The seat position and steering wheel height adjust to match the driver just by sitting in the car. The driver's home is set as the destination in the car navigation system. The stereo plays the driver's favorite song. Touching the TV remote control triggers a filter/search routine according to your personal programming preferences.
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Fig 8.5.1 Conferencing System REDTACTON can carry music or video between headsets, mobile devices, mobile phones, etc. Users can listen to music from a REDTACTON player simply by putting on a headset or holding a viewer connecting head mounted displays.
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8.6.2 Automatic access log for confidential document storage:A REDTACTON receiver in a cabinet where important documents are stored enables lock administration and keeps a record of who accessed documents at what time. Seat reservation management by verifying the right person is in the right seat, and also Log and verification of the person who touched the terminal.
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Fig 8.7.1
Fig 8.7.2
It has potential for use as communication method in outer space and under water. Potential for use as communication method with devices inside the human body
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9. PROTOTYPE DEVICES
9.1 Security devices whose development has been completed
Portable Card-Size Transmitter Transmission rate:230 kbps Protocol: Proprietary protocol Transmission method: Unidirectional Fig 9.1.1
Embedded Receiver Transmission rate:230 kbps Protocol: Proprietary protocol Transmission method: Unidirectional External device interface: Fig 9.1.2 10/100Base-T,RS232C
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REDTACTON Transceiver (PC-Card Type) Transmission rate: 10 Mbps Protocol: TCP/IP Transmission method: Half-duplex Terminal interface: PCMCIA Fig 9.2.1
REDTACTON Transceiver (Hub Type) Transmission rate:10 Mbps Protocol: TCP/IP Transmission method: Half-duplex External device interface:10BASE-T
Fig 9.2.2
USB Transceiver Transmission rate not yet determined (in testing stage)
Fig 9.2.3
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Table 9.1 Comparison with other technologies Evaluation criteria Transfer speed Performance deterioration during periods of congestion. Duplex data transfer (Interactive processing) User friendly Wireless LAN excellent Close-range wireless poor Infrared poor REDTACTON excellent
poor
poor
excellent
excellent
excellent
excellent
excellent
excellent
poor
poor
poor
excellent
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. RedTacton is situated directly between wireless and wired communication. RedTacton allows for easy connection without connectors, while at the same time allowing transmission of data only between two contact points.
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Fig 10.1 Comparison of RED TACTON with respect to distance. 10.1 ADVANTAGES OVER BLUETOOTH: RedTacton 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. Maximum speed offered by Bluetooth is 3Mbps. 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. In a busy place there could be hundreds of Bluetooth devices within range.
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11. CHALLENGES
The obvious barrier to entry is that the cost and time to develop HAN TECH. is very expensive. As a new technology HAN need to gain popularity among users to help pull the technology into the marketplace instead of having it pushed upon them. Widespread marketing campaigns will need to be developed to highlight the benefits of HAN technology to facilitate its adoption. Not useful unless many people adopt it. It can be useful within few centimeters only.
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12. CONCLUSION
REDTACTON has a wide range of unique new functional features and enormous potential as a Human Area Networking technology. NTT is committed to quickly identifying and opening up those application areas with the most commercial promise for REDTACTON, a business development process to be coordinated under NTT's Comprehensive Producer Function program. Many areas can benefit from this technology. Human society is entering an era of ubiquitous computing, where everything is networked. RedTacton is gearing up to compete with Bluetooth, Zigbee, IrDA (infrared data association), and UWB (ultra wide band). So we can clearly say that, this technology will spawn revolutionary changes in the modern communications and become a pivot technology. When we compare RedTacton with other technologies, RedTacton will give a better performance over other. If RedTacton is introduced into cyber market it brings a marvelous & tremendous change and will be adopted by many more people. FUTURE BELONGS TO REDTACTON
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13.REFERENCES
1. www.redtacton.com/en/info 2. www.howstuffworks.com 3. www.spectrum.ieee.org. 4. Data Communication & Networking By FOROUZAN 5. www.google.co.in
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