Ambient Backscatter: Revolutionizing IT Healthcare Wireless Trends

Backscatter networking has been named one of the top three trends of the future by CIO Review. This technology provides a nearly limitless network lifetime for IoT devices that currently run on finite batteries. A backscatter network transmits data using very little power. It targets small networked equipment and uses wireless pulses for power. Backscatter networking works well in areas saturated with wireless signals and can power simple IoT devices in smart homes and offices.

Small, low-powered devices integrate Internet of Things devices, improve communications, and reduce energy requirements. Embeddable devices and sensors allow for widespread use of backscatter technology. It can have a huge impact on healthcare.

How Does Backscatter Networking Work?

Ambient backscatter uses electromagnetic technology to reuse radio frequency signals given off by mobile phones, digital TVs, and Wi-Fi. IoT devices can use this energy to communicate with one another. The signals are already in the air, so devices that run on ambient backscatter don’t need a discrete energy source. This is ideal for low-power communication devices like sensors and other self-sustaining gadgets.

Devices equipped with this technology can harvest cellular signals already in use. Ambient backscatter technology reflects or absorbs these signals to create a unique signal. Using binary signals of ones and zeros, this absorbed or reflected energy is changed to create patterns such as text messages.

Ambient backscatter poses a solution to IoT devices currently running on batteries or requiring wires to connect to power sources. By incorporating ambient backscatter receivers and transmitters into connected devices, manufacturers of IoT devices can efficiently use radio sources to communicate without external power.

Creating Smart Hospitals

Contractors can embed RF-powered devices inside the walls of modern buildings to use backscatter to power sensors and other connected devices. Ambient backscatter can eliminate the need for batteries and wires that complicate the design of many devices. Smart clinics and hospitals can use backscatter energy to simplify the design of life-saving devices and allow machines to communicate with one another — something which could be vitally important in hospitals and health care facilities.

Backscatter-powered sensors can communicate conveniently without interfering with CT or MRI scanners and other equipment that relies on signals to operate. Self-sustaining sensors have a variety of potential uses in healthcare facilities. They could measure temperature, oxygen level, humidity and other conditions. Additionally, the sensors could provide this information in real-time to machines or technicians.

Ambient backscatter technology would allow hospitals to manage resources better. it could help automate tasks such as updating electronic health records with vital patient information and facilitating communication between wards.

Smart Patient Monitoring

Miniaturized transmitters embed easily as body patches or fabric attachments. These devices, such as epidural patch sensors for patient monitoring, can be installed almost anywhere. Smart Contacts are another example of possible uses for ambient backscatter technology. Transmitters and receivers can also be installed inside advanced devices that use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi technology.

Healthcare personnel can monitor patient vitals through on-body sensors. This can shave time off response times and help improve patient care. Additionally, these devices could assist nurses who monitor patients in critical conditions and has a number of other implications. For example, lab analysts can tap into this information to gain insight into patients as they test tissue samples. This technology can improve the accuracy and proficiency of patient care in many ways.

With on-body sensors, hospital staff could improve the response time to medical emergencies and give patients a higher survival rate.

Limitations of Backscatter Technology

This self-sustaining technology holds a lot of promise but also poses several challenges in its current state. Prior to widespread use, researchers will have to tackle issues with safety, security, and reliability.

Healthcare Data Security

Health data is widely protected under acts such as HIPAA and other federal regulations. These regulations make it problematic to transmit sensitive health data even within the same facility. No matter how slim the chances of hackers obtaining communication through backscatter transmitters, the potential security threat must be addressed.

Safety Considerations

Backscatter relies on proximity to relay information on patients to hospital systems. This requires in-body or on-body implants, which could take some getting used to before receiving approval. No studies have been completed regarding the safety of backscatter ambient technology on living creatures, including humans.

Reliability Still a Question

Backscatter sensors have not been tested under a wide variety of circumstances. So far, we know that they work well when they remain static. However, the health care environment requires devices that can be embedded inside clothes or attached to the patient physically. This enables them to continue transmitting even if the patient moves around.

Speed

Effective sensors need to transmit health data in real-time. Current communicators are still somewhat rudimentary and there is some latency that needs to be resolved before adopting them for widespread use.

Backscatter technology holds much promise when it comes to healthcare. This technology would allow devices to communicate affordably. However, backscatter transmitters and receivers still need some basic improvements prior to widespread implementation in hospitals and clinics

Ready to take your healthcare environment to the next level?

Increase transparency and control telecom spend with wireless expense management.

Contact us today to learn more.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: JEFF POIRIOR

Jeff brings 25 years of telecommunications and information technology management experience in voice and data networking, server support, and telephony and security; with a significant emphasis on customer service. Prior to joining Valicom, he was chief of the infrastructure support section for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Jeff was the vice president of operations for CC&N, overseeing telecommunications, help desk, data, and desk side support services. Prior to that, he served as the associate director of technical resources for Covance, responsible for managing systems and network operations supporting 1700 users in Wisconsin and Virginia. He has also led data center operations at Magnetek Electric, supporting mainframe systems, client/server applications, telephony systems, and computer-aided design. Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cardinal Stritch University and a master’s degree in business administration from University of Phoenix. In addition, Jeff is a past board member of the Wisconsin Telecommunication Association.