**3. Current state of knowledge and main objectives**

#### **a. Research objectives**

Given the current pace of implementation, this work reviews the literature regarding the use of SRD in healthcare, both systematically and comprehensively, following an innovation decision framework. We provide a brief introduction on these technological options, the current challenges, and the improvements that occur as a result of the use of this new tech‐ nology. Then we analyze the specific uses of SRD technology in different areas of healthcare. The potential benefits are evaluated as a driver that will promote its adoption, and possible barriers to their acceptance are identified [13].

In this work the EM conditions have been analyzed and the radiation patterns of several models of social alarm devices have been obtained. Given the increasing use of domiciliary telealarm devices, and the non-existence of previous studies of the working conditions and the emission levels, this paper analyzes two of the aspects that have to be considered to assure a proper, reliable and safe usage of these systems. The first is the compatibility with other communication networks and implanted electric devices. The second is the compliance with exposure levels threshold, to quantify and analyze the risk of exposure caused by the use of these devices.

#### **b. Current state of knowledge**

medical institutions as an important step toward financial savings, as well as a technologically and socially acceptable solution to maintain the viability of the welfare system. However, there are several obstacles to the acceptance of these solutions, some are technological, and others

**Figure 1.** Ubiquitous health monitoring: a Body Area Network (BAN), wireless sensor nodes, monitoring biomedical

Given the current pace of implementation, this work reviews the literature regarding the use of SRD in healthcare, both systematically and comprehensively, following an innovation decision framework. We provide a brief introduction on these technological options, the current challenges, and the improvements that occur as a result of the use of this new tech‐ nology. Then we analyze the specific uses of SRD technology in different areas of healthcare. The potential benefits are evaluated as a driver that will promote its adoption, and possible

In this work the EM conditions have been analyzed and the radiation patterns of several models of social alarm devices have been obtained. Given the increasing use of domiciliary telealarm devices, and the non-existence of previous studies of the working conditions and the emission levels, this paper analyzes two of the aspects that have to be considered to assure a proper, reliable and safe usage of these systems. The first is the compatibility with other

are more related to human acceptance in terms of comfort and business value.

**3. Current state of knowledge and main objectives**

signals and remote health assistance (WRTF: wired telephony service)

barriers to their acceptance are identified [13].

**a. Research objectives**

144 Telemedicine

For some years now short range technology has been considered a very promising option to cope with healthcare monitoring challenges. Consequently, this work aims to show the new technological advances and which factors might explain the penetration rate in healthcare.

The appearance of smart phones has been the major developmental breakthrough in the field of wireless personal area networks (WPAN). This has conditioned to a large extent the proliferation of devices in AAL systems that use the aforementioned smart Phones as a gateway to the network.

Factors like, accessibility, price, processing and communication capacity, as well as the use of cameras, navigation systems, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), and accelerometers allow for a great flexibility in the development of further applications. The increasing use of operating systems, such as, Android, iOS, Symbian or Windows Phones that use the Software Development Kit (SDK) allow the development of certain applications to became easier and easier. As a result, networks that are compatible with the smart phones (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi o NFC) are currently the most frequently used by devices that are found within personal area networks in the healthcare environment.

Within the area of AAL three types of wireless networks need to be considered, Wi-Fi networks, domestic networks and networks made up of social alarm devices (SAD). Wi-Fi networks because of their widespread usage, reduced price and operability with other such as PCs, tablets or smart phones are a very attractive proposition for network usage within assisted environments, without forgetting their main advantage, that of internet access. Disadvantages could be the high energy consumption and time required to establish a connection.

With regard to SAD, they are perhaps today the most frequently installed device within elderly households. Within Spain it is estimated that there are currently around 300.000 SAD and that 4% of Europeans of more than 65 years of age, have access to a device of this type [14]. The platforms of SAD are suitable for integration with other devices within the assisted environ‐ ments. SAD work on a frequency of 869.2-869.25 MHz and operate under the guidelines of the Commission Implementing Decision of 8 December 2011 (2011/829/EU) [15]. Currently, as well as wristband and chain alarms there are devices to detect falls, to monitor lifestyle, to monitor biological parameters, to detect technical alarms (such as smoke alarms, flood alarms or gas emissions), medicine dispensers and many other systems and technical aids.

Within the household wireless systems the Z-Wave technology stands out. In comparison to Wi-Fi, the device runs on batteries and the speed of transmission is lower, from 9.6 Kbps to 40 Kbps. Z- Wave operates in Europe on a wavelength of 868 Mhz.

As is shown in Table 1 with regards to the possible wireless communication options the vast majority use Bluetooth for data communication, differentiating between those that use the conventional form of Bluetooth and those using the newer low consumption version. You can see that there are several devices that are certificated by Continua, which ensure compatibility of data between platforms. Far behind, we can find those that use Wi-Fi as a form of wireless communication and finally you can find some that operate with Zigbee o with ANT.


**Table 1.** Comparative table of healthcare and wellness devices. (1) Continua Certified.

estimated with a possible lifespan of over three years.

markets.

Regarding the use of Zigbee, and although not reflected in this table, you can find numerous examples of research project initiatives that have developed devices orientated towards healthcare or assisted environments and that use Zigbee as a channel for communications, however, it has to be noted that very few of these initiatives have reached the commercial

Short Range Technologies for Ambient Assisted Living Systems in Telemedicine: New Healthcare Environments

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/57020

147

In the following paragraphs, we will compare low energy Bluetooth, ANT and Zigbee.

ANT is an initiative that operates on a low power proprietary protocol, works on a 2.4 GHz frequency, and supports the following network topologies: point to point, tree, or mesh network topologies with a range of between 1 and 30 meters, reaching hundreds of meters or kilometers depending on the typology and number of nodes in the network. With regard to the consumption, it is estimated to be in terms of microamperes in latent mode (sleep) and 18 mA in wake mode (wake up) and in transmission. The transmission rates can reach 1 Gbps, but to maintain real lower consumption transmissions, only a few bytes per second are

Zigbee uses the standard IEEE 802.15.4 on a frequency of 2.4 GHz, as with ANT it can support point to point, tree, or mesh network topologies with a range of between 1 to 100 meters and reach extensive areas using mesh typology. With regard to consumption we are speaking of around 35 mA in transmission and in terms of microamperes when in sleep mode. The rate of

Finally, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) a feature of Bluetooth 4.0 under the standard IEEE. 802.15.1 within a short range (up to 50 meters) can only support peer to peer and star typology, and as a result can not establish a meshed network, with a data transmission speed that can reach up to 100 Kbps. It is possible to reach low consumption levels of around 25 mA in

transmission can reach 250 Kbps and have a lifespan of up to six months.

Short Range Technologies for Ambient Assisted Living Systems in Telemedicine: New Healthcare Environments http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/57020 147


**Table 1.** Comparative table of healthcare and wellness devices. (1) Continua Certified.

of data between platforms. Far behind, we can find those that use Wi-Fi as a form of wireless

communication and finally you can find some that operate with Zigbee o with ANT.

146 Telemedicine

Regarding the use of Zigbee, and although not reflected in this table, you can find numerous examples of research project initiatives that have developed devices orientated towards healthcare or assisted environments and that use Zigbee as a channel for communications, however, it has to be noted that very few of these initiatives have reached the commercial markets.

In the following paragraphs, we will compare low energy Bluetooth, ANT and Zigbee.

ANT is an initiative that operates on a low power proprietary protocol, works on a 2.4 GHz frequency, and supports the following network topologies: point to point, tree, or mesh network topologies with a range of between 1 and 30 meters, reaching hundreds of meters or kilometers depending on the typology and number of nodes in the network. With regard to the consumption, it is estimated to be in terms of microamperes in latent mode (sleep) and 18 mA in wake mode (wake up) and in transmission. The transmission rates can reach 1 Gbps, but to maintain real lower consumption transmissions, only a few bytes per second are estimated with a possible lifespan of over three years.

Zigbee uses the standard IEEE 802.15.4 on a frequency of 2.4 GHz, as with ANT it can support point to point, tree, or mesh network topologies with a range of between 1 to 100 meters and reach extensive areas using mesh typology. With regard to consumption we are speaking of around 35 mA in transmission and in terms of microamperes when in sleep mode. The rate of transmission can reach 250 Kbps and have a lifespan of up to six months.

Finally, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) a feature of Bluetooth 4.0 under the standard IEEE. 802.15.1 within a short range (up to 50 meters) can only support peer to peer and star typology, and as a result can not establish a meshed network, with a data transmission speed that can reach up to 100 Kbps. It is possible to reach low consumption levels of around 25 mA in transmission, and microamperes when in the sleep mode. The lifespan of the battery may be calculated in terms of tens of days.
