The WBANs: Steps towards a comprehensive analysis of wireless body area networks

Abstract

The wireless sensor network (WSN) has been an active research topic for years, extensively used in the military, healthcare, automation and various other applications. Inspired by the WSN, the wireless body area network (WBAN) is a crucial infrastructure for remote health monitoring and treatment, with sensors installed in the human body to detect medical indicators and gather data. These sensor nodes function even in harsh conditions where human communication is difficult, all while operating on a minimal power budget. In this paper, we cover various aspects of wireless body area networks, such as on-body and in-body sensor communication, MEMS and NEMS technology, WBAN architecture, MAC protocols, security threats and applications.