ABSTRACT

Now a day’s electronic devices become smaller and lower in power requirements, and
they are less expensive. We have begun to adorn our body with personal information
communication appliances. Such devices include cellular phones, pagers and personal digital
assistants and many more. But currently there is no such method for these kinds to share data.
Networking these kinds of devices can reduce functional I/O redundancies and allow new
conveniences and services. Human society is entering an era of modern computing, when
networks are smoothly interconnected.
In an age where information is being considered as the blood of this century, the very
idea of transmitting such data or information to someone very specific sends these cold waves
all around our body. With so many hackers and other anti-social elements spread all around
the world, secure data transmission is considered to be a myth these days. With the recent
technological advancements success has been achieved to an extent in tackling the above
stated issue. One such solution to this issue is the RED TACTON devices[1].
Technology is making many things easier. So far we have seen LAN, MAN , WAN ,
INTERNET & many more but here is new concept of “ RED TACTON ” which makes the
human body as a communication network by name HAN (Human Area Network).
NTT lab from Japan is testing & developing this revolutionary technology .Red Tacton
is a new Human Area networking technology that uses the surface of the human body as a
safe, high speed network transmission path. Red Tacton uses the minute electric field
generated by human body as medium for transmitting the data. The chips which will be
embedded in various devices contain transmitter and receiver built to send and accept data in
digital format[1].
Recent technological advancements have given rise to prominent techniques for viably
addressing energy constraints in pervasive sensor networks. The miniaturization of electronic
devices has directed considerable attention to enabling seamless medical and non- medical
monitoring (as well as other servicing) applications. This has led to advancements in wireless
sensor networks and the expansion of wireless body area networks (WBAN). WBAN involves
distributed, low-power, wear- able, and implantable sensor nodes that can store and transmit
monitored data to remote locations. These nodes can be exploited in a wide range of
applications, including health monitoring, assisted living, telemedicine, fitness tracking, and
so on[6].
 CHAPTER-1

INTRODUCTION

For the implementation of easy to use ubiquitous services, Human Area Networking technology
for communication between mobile terminals and between terminals that are embedded in the
environment has become important. When cables are used for communication between
terminals, the routing of the cables is clearly inconvenient. When very weak radio signals are
used for the communication, data speeds are reduced by packet collision and other such
problems in crowded places such as exhibition sites and security risk from unwanted signal
interception is another problem.
Technology for solving such problems includes the use of person’s body as a signal
path for communication. A transmission path is formed automatically when a person comes into
contact with a device, and communication between mobile terminals begins. This makes it
possible for communication to be initiated through natural actions such as grasping, sitting,
walking and stepping onto something.
Previous reports on this technology have described short communication distances
of several tens of centimeters and rather low maximum data speeds of 40kbps[3]. The reason
for these restrictions is that electrical sensors are used in this circuit. The NTT Laboratories in
Tokyo, Japan turned to the ground-independent, single-point-contact measuring capability of
photonic electric field sensor for development of a transceiver that employs a photonic electric
field sensor in the receiver. That is the Human Area Network RedTacton technology. In addition
to any points on the body, communication via clothing and shoes was also confirmed at a
maximum speed of 10mbps using this technology.
Furthermore, humans apparently make poor aerials, something which is "good for
security because even if you encrypt data it is still possible that it could be decoded, but if you
can't pick it up it can't be cracked.

1.1 BACKGROUND

At the end of 2002 the Japanese telecommunications group NTT had announced that it
would develop a new data transmission technology that uses the conductive properties of the
human body to exchange information between electronic devices. With RedTacton the
company has now scarcely two and a half years later presented its first prototype of a Human
Area Network (HAN).

The basic principle of the RedTacton concept is the creation of minute electrostatic
fields that modulated by a code-giver to carry digital information are capacitively transmitted
to human skin as a conductor, thence to be transmitted upon physical contact. To read out the
data bits NTT makes use of a novel type of opto-electrical receiver equipped with a miniature
laser whose light ray is reflected by a crystal.

At the receiving end the electrostatic fields evoked by the RedTacton sender cause the
electrical field in the environment of the crystal to change, which in turn induces changes in
the polarization of the reflected laser light. These changes in polarization the opto-electrical
receiver interprets as data bits, which it converts into electrical signals that can be processed
by a PDA, for instance.

According to NTT this technology - which can also be made to works when door
handles, switches or turnstiles are touched - allows bi-directional signals to be sent at rates of
up to 10 Mbit/s. The strength of the electrostatic fields evoked the company puts at but a few
hundred milliwatts. Prior to the stage planned for 2006 in which the HAN technology is to be
ready for the market, NTT intends to conduct a number of field tests this summer, in which it
is inviting companies with an interest in the technology to participate.

Fig.1.1 Redtacton receivers

Japanese company Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) claims to

have developed the first viable Human Area Network (HAN) device, enabling fast data
transfer between devices using the human body as a conduit.
 RedTacton is a break-through technology that, for the first time, enables reliable high-
speed 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. "With Bluetooth, it is difficult to rein in the
signal and restrict it to the device you are trying to connect to. You usually want to
communicate with one particular thing, but in a busy place there could be hundreds of
Bluetooth devices within range."

NTT reckons this latest advance on the wireless Personal Area Network concept -
dubbed RedTacton - can transmit data over the surface of the skin at up to 2Mbps. Where it
differs, though, from previous offerings, is that a RedTacton-enabled device does not have to
be in direct contact with the skin - only within about 20cm. We may have imagined the
feature as a place crawling with antennas and emitters, due to the huge growth of wireless
communications. And it is seems that the current means of transferring data might already
have a very serious competitor none other than the human body.

1.2. HUMAN AREA NETWORK

Fig.1.2 Human Area Network

Human Area Network or Personal Area Network (HAN) is the interconnection of

information technology devices within the range of an individual person. For example, a
person traveling with a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a portable printer could
interconnect them without having to plug anything in, using some form of wireless
technology.
We can also see Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN) which is virtually a
synonym to personal area network would need to function wirelessly. Conceptually, the
difference between a PAN and a wireless PAN is that the former tends to be centered around
one person while the latter is a Local Area Network (LAN) that is connected without wires
and serving multiple users.
In another usage, a personal area network (PAN) is a technology that could enable
wearable computer devices to communicate with other nearby computers and exchange digital
information using the electrical conductivity of the human body as a data network. For
example, two people each wearing business card-size transmitters and receivers conceivably
could exchange information by shaking hands. The transference of data through intra-body
contact, such as handshakes, is known as linkup. The human body's natural salinity makes it a
good conductor of electricity. An electric field passes tiny currents, known as Pico amps,
through the body when the two people shake hands. The handshake completes an electric
circuit and each person's data are transferred to the other person's laptop computer or a similar
device.

1.3.RED TACTON

The ritual of exchanging business cards could become a thing of the past after Japanese
researchers devised a way to swap data just through a handshake through a technology named
“RED TACTON”.This advanced technology is used in various fields which is beneficial in
our day to day life such as in medical and commercial applications where Red Tacton can
provide high value-added communication.

A transmission path is formed at the moment a part of the human body comes in
contact with a RedTacton transceiver. Communication is possible using any body surfaces,
such as the hands, fingers, arms, feet, face, legs or torso. RedTacton works through shoes and
clothing as well. When the physical contact gets separated, the communication is ended.

Using RedTacton-enabled devices, music from a digital audio player in your pocket
would pass through your clothing and shoot over your body to headphones in your ears.
Instead of fiddling around with a cable to connect your digital camera to your computer, you
could transfer pictures just by touching the PC while the camera is around your neck. And
since data can pass from one body to another, you could also exchange electronic business
cards by shaking hands, trade music files by dancing cheek to cheek.
 It is completely distinct from wireless and infrared. A transmission path is formed at the
moment a part of the human body comes in contact with a RedTacton transceiver. Thus
physically separating the human body and the RedTacton transceiver ends the contact, and thus
ends communication[3]. Using RedTacton, communication starts when terminals carried by the
user or embedded in devices are linked in various combinations according to the user's natural,
physical movements. An example is shown in the figure below:

Fig 1.3: An example for communication using RedTacton transceiver.

In the example shown above a person is carrying a RedTacton transceiver in

his hand. Another RedTacton transceiver is attached to the door. When the person just grips on
the doorknob the door can be opened. Once the person touchés the doorknob, a communication
path is created between he two transceivers and the transceiver at the door detects it. An electric
signal is generated and it is used to drive some mechanism to open the door[3].
Actually, the manufacturers created the word, "Tacton" because with this
technology, communication starts by touching (Touch), leading to various actions (Act on).
They then added the color red to convey the meaning of warmth in communication. Combining
these phrases led to the name, "RedTacton”.

CHAPTER 2
 ARCHITECTURE 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[2]. The
working of the technology is illustrated in the following figure:

Fig2.1 : Working of RedTacton transceivers

The RedTacton transmitter induces a weak electric field on the surface of the body. The
RedTacton receiver senses changes in the weak electric field on the surface of the body
caused by the transmitter. 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. This
phenomenon is called Pockel’s effect.
 RedTacton receiver has an electro-optic sensor which consists of an electro-optic
crystal and a laser beam generator. The transmitter induces a weak electric field on the surface
of the human body, and the receiver detects the changes in this electric field by detecting the
changes in the optical property of the electro-optic crystal[2]. This is done using a laser beam.
The polarization of the laser will be changed if the optic property of the crystal is changed.
This result is converted into an electrical signal, which can be used to provide different
services. RedTacton transceivers are available which integrate both transmitters and receivers.

To summarize them finally,

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.

2.2 PRINCIPLE OF REDTACTON

The operating principle of RedTacton is illustrated in figure 2.2. The electric field
induced toward the body by the transmitter’s signal electrode is represented by Ea. The
system requires a ground close to the transmitter signal electrode, so electric field Eb induced
from the body can follow a return path to the transmitter ground. Moreover, since people are
usually standing on a floor or the ground, electric field Ec escapes from the body to ground,
mainly from the feet.
The electric field Es that reaches the receiver is Es = Ea – (Eb + Ec). It couples to the
electro-optic crystal and changes the crystal’s optical properties. This change is detected by
laser light and transformed into digital data by a detector circuit[6].
 Fig 2.2 Operating Principle RedTacton

2.3 MECHANISM OF COMMUNICATION WITH REDTACTON

The transmitter sends data by inducing fluctuations in the minute electric field on the
surface of the human body. Data is received using a photonic electric field sensor that
combines an electro-optic crystal and a laser light to detect fluctuations in the minute electric
field.

Fig 2.3: Different electric fields

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.
A model of the distribution of the electric field around the human body is shown fig
2.4(A) Here, the human body is standing above the earth ground, and both the transmitter and
receiver have signal and ground electrodes. An AC field can be transmitted to the body’s
surface if the transmitter is capacitively coupled to the body Fig 2.4(B) so the electrode is
isolated with an insulating layer. If the AC signal is in the 5–10 MHz band, the body can be
treated essentially as a conductor, and for the most part, the AC electric field induced by the
transmitter does not radiate into the region of space around the body, but is transmitted over
the body’s surface and escapes to the earth ground. Communication is achieved in the receiver
by detecting this AC electrical field before it escapes to theearth ground[12]. However, part of
the AC electric field induced on the body returns to the ground on the transmitter, and a
significant part escapes directly to the earth ground. The field distribution also changes
continuously as the person moves, so the receiver must detect a signal that is very faint and
unstable, which is a challenge for ensuring stable communications. First, we describe the key
factors for the transmitter and receiver with reference to a simple equivalent circuit model.

Fig 2.4 (A) Fig 2.4 (B)

Fig.2.5
 For the transmitter, it is important to somehow efficiently induce a stable AC electric-
field signal on the body’s surface. Both the body and the transmitter are floating with respect
to the earth ground and are loosely coupled to it through this floating capacitance[13]. This
capacitance tends to attenuate the AC signal induced by the transmitter, and the value of this
floating capacitance changes continuously with body movements. To get efficient induction of
a stable AC electric field, we need to control the effects of this floating capacitance. We
introduced a variable reactance circuit into the output stages of the transmitter: when there is
resonance between the floating capacitance and the reactance circuit, the induced signal is
maximized. We also added a function enabling the reactance circuit to follow changes in this
floating capacitance as the body moves, resonating with it. Similar to the transmitter, the
receiver is electrically floating with respect to the earth ground.
If common mode noise is introduced, it has a strong effect because the impedance
balance between the signal and ground lines is poor. To detect the weak AC electric field
arriving at the receiver electrode, it isimportant to somehow control common mode noise. To
do this, we created a differential structure in the initial stage amplifier of the receiver and
developed technology with a careful design from the receiver electrode to the positive input of
the initial stage low-noise amplifier and from the ground electrode to the negative input
terminal to achieve an equivalent differential structure.
In this way we were able to reliably remove common-mode noise at the initial-stage
amplifier and improve the signal-to-noise ratio, creating a highly sensitive architecture able to
amplify the weak signal[12]. Using the basic technologies described above, we were able to
efficiently modulate the near-body electric field and implement a receiver that can reduce
ambient noise to develop a near-body quasi-electric-field communications technology that
achieves the quality required to offer communications services and operates at a minimal
transmission power level.

2.4 BLOCK DIAGRAM OF REDTACTON TRANSCEIVER

The block diagram of the RedTacton transceiver is shown 2.6. The transmitter consists
of a transmitter circuit that induces electric fields toward the body and a data sense circuit,
which distinguishes transmitting and receiving modes by detecting both transmission and
reception data and outputs control signals corresponding to the two modes to enable two-way
communication[5]. We implemented a receive-first half-duplex communication scheme that
sends only after checking to make sure that there is no data to receive in order to avoid packet
collisions between terminals in compliance with the IEEE 802.3 protocol. The receiver
consists of an electro-optic sensor and a detector circuit that amplifies the minute incoming
signal from the electro optic sensor and converts it to electrical signal.

Fig 2.6 Block Diagram of RedTacton

2.5 EXPERIMENTAL SET UP FOR INTRABODY

COMMUNICATION:

The experimental setup for intrabody communication assuming communication

between two electronic devices (PDAs) is shown in figure 2.4. There are two sets of
RedTacton transceivers each connected to a PDA.
 Fig 2.4 A Typical Setup Of Intrabody Communication Using Redtacton

The subject holds one transmitting/receiving electrode in each hand. We quantitatively

measured the bit error rates of signals sent through the body[4]. The results showed that the
system had no significant practical problems at a transmission speed of 10 Mbps. Besides
communication between two hands, the demonstration of reliable communication between a
foot and finger and between other locations of a person’s body can also be shown. Good
communication is achieved not only when the electrodes were in direct contact with the
person’s skin, but also when the signals passed through clothing and shoes.
 CHAPTER 3

FEATURES OF REDTACTON

RedTacton has three main functional features.

 Touch
 Broadband and interactive
 Any media

Fig 3.1:Features of RedTacton

3.1 TOUCH:

It means communication can start with just a touch or a step. Touching,

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

Fig 3.2 Shows Touch Features

gripping, sitting, walking, stepping and other human movements can be the triggers for
unlocking or locking, starting or stopping equipment, or obtaining data. 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.
Fig 3.2 shows some of the touch methods from which communication starts.
3.2 BROADBAND AND INTERACTIVE

Bandwidth does not deteriorate even with duplex operation and simultaneous access
by many users. Duplex, interactive communication is possible at a maximum speed of
10Mbps (Maximum communication speed may be slower than 10Mbps depending on the
usage environment)[14]. 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.

Fig.3.3(A)
Fig.3.3(B)

Fig3.3(A)Communication speed can deteriorate in crowded spaces due to a lack of

bandwidth(wireless LAN)
Fig3.3(B)Device drivers can be downloaded instantly and executable programs can
be quickly sent.(RED TACTON)

In the case of figure shown above which illustrates communication speed can
deteriorate in crowded spaces due to a lack of bandwidth. But in case of RedTacton the
scenario which is illustrated as in shown in fig 3.3.Here device drivers can be downloaded
instantly and executable programs can be quickly sent, thereby taking the advantage of its
speed.

3.3 ANY MEDIA

 Works through any transmission media which are common in human life. 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 (There are limitations on the
length of the conductor to be propagated, on installation locations, and on the thickness of the
dielectric to be passed through)[15].
Consider different cases:

(1) CONDUCTORS: Signal travels through the surface of metals and also through non
conductors such as water. Fig 3.4(a, b) shows a typical example of metals.

(a) (b)
Fig 3.4 conductors and non conductors

(2) DIELECTRICS: Signals pass through materials such as glass, walls, wood. Fig 3.5(a,
b) shows a typical example of Dielectrics.

( a)
(b)
Fig 3.5 Dielectrics
3) CONDUCTOR + DIELECTRIC:

Combination of both traveling along and passing through materials.

(a) (b)

Fig 3.6 Conductor + Dielectric

A communication environment can be created easily and at low-cost by using items

close at hand, such as desks, walls, and metal objects. Fig 3.6(a, b) shows a typical example
of conductor and Dielectrics[15].
 CHAPTER-4

PROTOTYPE USED IN REDTACTON

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) have made three data
transmission prototype and two security prototype devices[23].

4.1DATA TRANSMISSION DEVICES (IN DEVELOPMENT)

PC CARD TRANSCEIVER:

 Communication speed: 10 Mbps

 Protocols: TCP/IP
 Communication method: Half-duplex
 Interface: PCMCI

Fig 4.1.1 PC Card

Transceiver

EMBEDDED TRANSCEIVER:

Communication speed: 10
 Mbps
 Protocols: TCP/IP
 Communication method: Half-duplex
 Interface: 10BASE-T
 Fig 4.1.2 Embedded Transceiver

REDTACTON DEVICE (USB TYPE):

Communication speed, etc., have not been determined yet. (The device is under testing
stage).

Fig 4.1.3 RedTacton

device (USB type)

4.2 SECURITY DEVICES (DEVELOPMENT COMPLETED):

PORTABLE CARD-SIZE TRANSMITTER:

 Transmission: 230 kbps

 Protocol: Proprietary Protocol
 Transmission method: Unidirectional
 Fig 4.2.1 Portable Card-Size Transmitter

EMBEDDED RECEIVER:

 Transmission: 230 kbps

 Protocol: Proprietary: Protocol
 Transmission method: Unidirectional
 External Device Interface: 10/100BASE-T, RS232C

Fig 4.2.2 Embedded Receivers

NTT plans to develop transceivers with an emphasis on portability that are more compact and
less power consumption. Through field testing, NTT will continue to investigate and improve
the robustness of Human Area Networking and human body surface communication
applications.
 CHAPTER-5
APPLICATIONS
We can say that there are five major application fields using RedTacton[16]. They are
1. One to one services
2. Intuitive Operations
3. Personalization
4. New Behavior Patterns
5. Security Applications
6. Communication in New Domain.

5.1 ONE TO ONE SERVICES:

Enable one-to-one services tailored to the user's situation and tastes.
 Attribute information recorded in the RedTacton device is sent to the touched objects.
 The appropriate service is provided based on the attribute information received by
the RedTacton receiver[7].

5.1.1 ELIMINATION OF HUMAN ERROR:

Consider the following example of the Elimination of Human Error. The main aim of
this is to sound an alarm automatically if there is accidental medicine ingestion. Fig 5.1.1
illustrates Elimination of Human error using RedTacton for medicine bottle.

Fig 5.1.1 Elimination of Human Error using RedTacton for medicine bottle.
 RedTacton devices embedded medicine bottles transmit information on the medicines'
attributes. If the user touches the wrong medicine, an alarm will trigger on the terminal
he is carrying.
 The alarm sounds only if the user actually touches the medicine bottle, reducing false
alarms common with passive wireless ID tags, which can trigger simply by proximity

SIMILAR APPLICATIONS:
 Alert and contact record at medical, long-term care, and childcare facilities.
 Avoidance of risk at construction sites (an alarm sounds if special equipment is
handled by anyone other than supervisors).

5.1.2 MARKETING APPLICATIONS:

Another example is that of Marketing Applications (context awareness). Fig 5.1.2
shows illustrate an example for touch advertising to marketing application[7]. It focuses on
touch advertising and receives information i.e.
 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 in-depth information.

Fig 5.1.2 Touch advertising using RedTacton.

SIMILAR EXAMPLES
 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.
5.2. INTUITIVE OPERATION:
Here natural movements and trigger are the actions. There is no operation as such only
intuitive human interaction.
The operation is as follows
 RedTacton transceivers embedded in two terminals can communicate not only data but
also the control or configuration instructions needed to operate devices.
 Cable connections are eliminated. The body itself is used as a transmission media.

5.2.1 TOUCH A PRINTER TO PRINT:

The best example of Intuitive operation is Touch a Printer to print which is as shown
in fig 5.2.1
 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.
 Complicated configurations are reduced by downloading device drivers ‘at first touch.

Fig 5.2.1 Touch To Printer To Print

SIMILAR EXAMPLES

 Display notebook PC screen on projectors with just a touch.

 Transfer songs to portable music players from notebook PC‘s with just a touch.

5.2.2 INSTANT PRIVATE DATA EXCHANGE:

 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 5.2.2 shows how data is changed instantly by handshake.

Fig 5.2.2 instant private data exchange

SIMILAR 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.

5.3 PERSONALIZATION:

Digital lifestyle can be instantly personalized with just a touch. A pre-recorded

configuration script can be embedded in a mobile terminal with built-in RedTacton
transceiver. When another device with RedTacton capabilities is touched, personalization data
and configuration scripts can be downloaded automatically.
Consider the following examples.

5.3.1 PERSONALIZATION OF MOBILE PHONES:

Just touching your phone makes it your own.

 Your own phone number is allocated and billing commences.
 Automatic importing of personal address book and call history.
 Fig 5.3.1 personalization of mobile phones

SIMILAR EXAMPLES
 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.

5.3.2 PERSONALIZATION OF AUTOMOBILES:

Just sitting in the seat triggers the car to load all its presets, just the way you 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 drivers favorite song.

Fig 4.6 personalization of mobile phones

SIMILAR EXAMPLES
 Touching the TV remote control triggers a filter/search routine according to your
personal programming preferences.
5.4 NEW BEHAVIOR PATTERNS

Various conductors and dielectrics can be used as RedTacton communication media,

and this has the potential to create new behavior patterns[8].

5.4.1 CONFERENCING SYSTEM:

 An electrically conductive sheet is embedded in the table.

 A network connection is initiated simply by placing a laptop on the table.
 Using different sheet patterns enables segmentation of different tables into subnets.

Fig 5.4.1 conferencing system

SIMILAR EXAMPLES

 Walls and partitions can be used as communication media eliminating construction to

install electrical wiring.
 Ad hoc networking using conductive liquid sprays is possible.

5.4.2 WEARABLE WIRELESS HEADSET:

 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.
 Fig 5.4.2 personalization of mobile phones

SIMILAR EXAMPLES
 Connecting head mounted displays.

5.5 SECURITY APPLICATIONS

Automatic user authentication and log-in with just a touch.

ID and privileges are recorded in a mobile RedTacton device.
Corresponding RedTacton receivers are installed at security check points.
The system can provide authentication and record who touched the device, and
when[9].

5.5.1 USER VERIFICATION AND LOCK MANAGEMENT AT ENTRANCES:

 Carrying a mobile RedTacton capable device in one’s pocket, ID is verified and the
door unlocked when the user holds the doorknob normally.
 Secure lock administration is possible by combining personal verification tools such
as fingerprint ID or other biometric in the mobile terminal.

Fig 5.5.1 User Verification And Lock Management At Entrances

SIMILAR EXAMPLES
 Automated car door lock/unlock just by touching the handle; unlocking a bicycle just
by sitting on it.
 As a pass in amusement facilities.

5.5.2 CONFIDENTIAL ACCESS MANAGEMENT

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.

Fig 5.5.2 Confidential Access Management

SIMILAR EXAMPLES
 Seat reservation management to verify that the person is sitting in the right seat.
 Log and verification of the person who touched the terminals.

5.6 COMMUNICATION IN NEW DOMAINS

Fig 5.6.1(a) Fig 5.6.1(b)

(a).Potential for use as communication method in outer space and under water
(b).Potential for use as communication method with devices inside the human body.
 CHAPTER-6

SYSTEM SAFETY

 NO CURRENT FLOWING INTO THE HUMAN BODY FROM REDTACTON

DEVICES.
o RedTacton uses the electric field that occurs naturally on the surface of the
human body for communication. Transmitter and receiver electrodes are
covered with insulating films. No current flows into the body from the
RedTacton transceiver.

 DISPLACEMENT CURRENT OCCURRING IN THE BODY IS SMALL ENOUGH.

o There is no current flowing from the RedTacton transceiver; however, the body
indirectly receives a minute electric field. This causes electrons already present
inside the body to move, creating a minute displacement current. This
displacement current is similar to those occurring in everyday life.

 REDTACTON CONFORMS TO THE SAFETY GUIDELINE OF INDUCED

CURRENT.
o RedTacton is in conformity to the "Radiofrequency-exposure Protection RCR
standard (RCR STD-38)" issued by the Association of Radio Industries and
Businesses (ARIB).

CHAPTER-7
 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

7.1 ADVANTAGES OF REDTACTON

 Several "human body communication" technologies using the human body as a

transmission medium have been reported in the past. But RedTacton employs a
proprietary electric field/photonics method, which surpasses the other methods in
terms of communication distance, transfer speed, and interactivity.
 The RedTacton electrode is covered with an insulating material, no current flows into
the body from the RedTacton transceiver. As a result, there is no shock caused by the
inflow of electric current from the outside. However, as in mobile phones, a weak
induction current is created in the body owing to the minute electric filed created near
the body when the movement occurs. This induction current is very weak and similar
to those occurring in everyday life.
 The communication method is inherently different from wireless technologies, so
there is no interference with wireless equipment that uses frequencies intermittently.
However, communication may not be possible in some circumstances where the
electric field is influenced by a powerful source of noise in the usage environment.
 Multiple transceivers can be used simultaneously. This is because RedTacton uses a
proprietary CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection)
protocol that allows multiple accesses with the same medium from multiple nodes.

7.2 DISADVANTAGES OF REDTACTON

 There are various fundamental technical limitations that constrain their usage, such as
the precipitous fall-off in transmission speed in multi-user environments producing
network congestion.
 If the soles on the shoes are thick, the communication may be unstable.
 Communication becomes unstable the farther away from the body it occurs
 Communication may not be possible in some circumstances where the electric field is
influenced by a powerful source of noise in the usage environment.
 CHAPTER-8

PLANS OF COMMERCIALIZATION

NTT plans to search for promising usage that have the potential to lead to the
commercialization of the various functionalities of the RedTacton under its Comprehensive
Producer Function(This is an initiative started by NTT in July 2003 to innovate R&D
management).
NTT is searching for applications requiring the communication capabilities of
RedTacton but which cannot be well-served using conventional wired or wireless LAN or
even wireless ID tags.

For example:

Medical and commercial applications where RedTacton can provide high value-added
communications.

 Environments already using shared platforms for multiple applications or user groups,
where RedTacton can support many applications all leveraging the shared platform.
 Environments already using industry-wide common interfaces that can be made
interoperable with RedTacton, rather than developing custom interfaces for custom
applications.

NTT plans to conduct collaborative field testing with external companies and
organizations for the purpose of investigating the commercial potential of the RedTacton
technology.
 CHAPTER 9

COMPARISONS WITH REDTACTON

9.1 COMPARISON WITH OTHER NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES

The chart below shows the positioning of RedTacton with respect to existing
communication technologies. The focus on ubiquitous service has brought about the
shortening of distances in communication. RedTacton is positioned as the last 1m solution to
ultimate close-range communication[12]. 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. Taking the above points in account, RedTacton is situated directly between wireless
and wired communication. In other words, RedTacton allows for easy connection without
connectors, while at the same time allowing transmission of data only between two contact
points. It thus has the feature of being difficult to intercept. Figure shoes comparison of
RedTacton.

Fig 9.1 Comparison Of Redtacton With Other Technology

9.2 COMPARISON WITH OTHER NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES

RedTacton surpasses other human area networks in terms of communication

performance and user convenience[22]. The comparison between RedTacton and other
Human Area Networks are shown in the table:

Red
Wireless Infrared
Tacton
Standard
Close- Contact Passive
Evaluation Wireless data
range less IC wireless
criteria LAN communi-
wireless cards ID tag
cation
Transfer speed
E P P P P E

Performance
deterioration
during periods P P E E E E
of congestion

Duplex data
transfer E E E P E E

Data
configuration at
initiation of E E P P E E
communications

Tasks required
at time of each
E E P E P E
communication

Synchronization
with
P P E E P E
user behavior

P:Poor
E:Excellent

Table 9.2:Comparison with other technologies

 9.3 COMPARISON WITH OTHER HUMAN COMMUNICATION METHODS

"Intra-body communication" using the human body as a transmission medium

has been reported, but the electric field/photonics method employed by RedTacton is
superior to conventional methods in terms of communication distance, speed, and
interactivity.

P: Possible
N: Not possible
P*: Possible under certain conditions

Duplex
communication
Signal & Distance Between Contact status
Ground mobile
Detection & Between with the
line terminals
system speed mobile electrode
and
terminals
external
equipment
Clear
The electrode
signal
Elbow to must be in
lines
Amperage fingertip constant contact
needed for N
electric at approx. P* with the body to
body and
3kbps maintain good
earth
conductivity
ground
Capacity
coupling Communication
Wrist to
between possible even
Voltage fingertip
the earth when passing
electric at approx. P* P*
ground through thin
1kbps
and insulators
equipment
Capacity
coupling Anywhere
Electric Communication
between on the
field possible even
the earth body at up P P
photonics through shoes
ground to
(RedTacton) and clothing
and 10Mbps
equipment

Table 9.3: Comparison between other human communication methods

 RedTacton does not require the electrode be in direct contact with the skin. High-
speed communication is possible between two arbitrary points on the body[11]. With the
electric amperage method, a clear signal line and ground line are required. With the electric
voltage method, capacity coupling can substitute. Therefore, the electrode does not have to be
in direct contact with the skin.

Fig 9.4: Electric field method and electric current method

On the other hand, photonic electric field sensors used in RedTacton can measure
stand-alone contacts without being influenced by grounds. As a result, the received waveform
is not distorted, regardless of the receiver location. This makes long-distance and high-speed
body surface transmission possible.
Fig 9.5: Signal waveform observed on the body
CHAPTER-10

Energy CONCLUSION

RedTacton is an exciting new technology for human area networking. They have
developed a transceiver that uses the human body as a data transmission medium based on an
electric-field sensor that uses an electro-optic crystal and laser light. Using this transceiver,
they succeeded in achieving 10BASE communication in accordance with IEEE 802.3 through
a human body from one hand to the other hand. While the immediate objective is to
implement a RedTacton system supporting two-way intrabody communication at a rate of 10
Mbps between any two points on the body, our longer-term plans include developing a mass-
market transceiver interface supporting PDAs and notebook computers while continuing
efforts to reduce the size and power consumption of the transceiver to enhance its portability.
NTT is committed to using its comprehensive commercialization functions to push this
research out to the marketplace as quickly as possible while moving ahead with tests and trials
collaboration with commercial partners as necessary.

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. NTT is committed to quickly identifying and opening up various
application areas where RedTacton shows the most commercial promise.
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 RED
TACTON