Standardization on Body Area Network and a Prototype System Based on UWB

Body area network (BAN) is a promising wireless technology that realizes wireless connectivity among vital signal sensors deployed on human body. Monitoring various vital signals collected through BAN provides an efficient way to lower disease occurrence rate and reduce medical expenditure. Task Group 6 (TG6) within the IEEE 802 Local and Metropolitan Area Network Standards Committee is developing a BAN standard, i.e., IEEE 802.15.6. In which, specifications of three physical layers (PHYs) and a single common medium access control (MAC) are being drafted. The standardization process has been continuing for several years in the Task Group 6 (TG6) under Working Group 15 (WG). In this paper, we describe the up-to-date status of IEEE 802.15.6 standardization. Some main specifications under drafting are presented. Moreover, as an effort of implementing a BAN model, a prototype BAN system based on the high band of ultra-wideband (UWB) is demonstrated.