World of Circuits: RedTacton (The Human Area Network)

RedTacton technology is an electronic future where information can be accessible whenever and wherever needed at our finger tips. Some of the communication equipment that is required to provide this immediate access to information will be Incorporated into our attire. Just as a quick look at today's wristwatch saves a trip to the nearest clock; a glance at tomorrow's wristwatch will replace finding a terminal to check e-mail. RedTacton is a new Human Area Networking technology which was introduced by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT’s) that uses the human body surface as a high speed and safe network transmission path. RedTacton is a Break-through technology that enables reliable high-speed HAN for the first time. In the past, infrared Communications (IrDA), Bluetooth, radio frequency ID systems (RFID),and other technologies have been Proposed to solve the "last meter" connectivity problem. However, those technologies 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.

What is RedTacton?

RedTacton Technology was introduced by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT). TACTON- meaning “action triggered by touching” and RED - It is an auspicious color according to Japanese culture for warmth. It is a technology that uses the surface of the human body as a safe, high speed network transmission. The study of Human Area Networking

i.) RedTacton uses the minute electric field emitted on the surface of the human body. It is completely distinct from wireless and infrared.

ii.) A transmission path is formed at a part of the human body which comes in contact with a RedTacton transceiver. Physically separating ends the contact and thus ends communication.

iii.) Using RedTacton, communication starts when terminals carried by the user are linked in several combinations according to the user's natural, physical movements.

iv.) Communication is possible using an y body surfaces, such as the hands, fingers, feet, face, legs, skin or torso. RedTacton works through shoes and clothing as well.

B. Features

RedTacton Technology has three main functional features:

i.) Touch: Touching, sitting, walking, stepping, gripping and other human movements can be the used as triggers for unlocking or locking, starting or stopping the equipment, or obtaining data.

ii.) Broadband & Interactive: Bandwidth does not deteriorate even with duplex operations and also simultaneous access b y many users. Duplex, interactive communication is possible at a maximum speed of 10Mbps. This is because the transmission path is on the surface of the body; transmission speed of red tacton does not deteriorate in congested areas Where man y people can communicate at the same time.

iii.) Any media: In addition to the human body, there are various conductors and dielectrics can also be used as transmission media. Conductors and dielectrics may also be used in combination.

II.WORKING:

RedTacton takes a different technical approach. Instead of depending on electromagnetic waves or light waves to carry data. RedTacton using weak electric fields on the surface of the body as a transmission medium as shown in figure.

i.) The RedTacton transmitter induces a weak electric field on the surface of the body.

ii.) The RedTacton receiver senses changes in the weak electric field on the surface of the body caused by the transmitter.

iii.) 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.

iv.) 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.

Block Diagram of Transceiver:

Mechanism of Communication with RedTacton

The naturally occurring electric field induced on the surface of the human body dissipates into the earth as shown. Therefore, this electric field is exceptionally faint and not stable. The photonic electric field sensor developed b y NTT enables weak electric fields to be measured by detecting changes in the optical properties of an electro-optic crystal with a laser beam.

Human Safety

The transmitting and receiving electrodes of the transceiver are completely covered with insulating film, so the body of the person acting as transmission medium is completely insulated. This makes impossible for current to flow into a person’s body from the transceiver. When communication takes place, displacement current is generated by the electrons in the body because the body is subjected to minute electrical fields. Such type of displacement currents are very common everyday occurrences to which we are all subjected. RedTacton conforms to the “Radio frequency-exposure Protection standard (RCR STD-38)” issued by the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB).

III. Applications:

1) Elimination of human error:

RedTacton devices embedded medicine bottles transmit information on the medicines attributes. Whenever the user touches the wrong medicine, immediately an alarm will trigger on the terminal he is carrying. The alarm sounds only whenever the user actually touches the medicine bottle, it reduces false alarms common with passive wireless ID tags, which trigger simply by proximity.

2) Marketing Applications

When a consumer stands in front of an advertising panel, information matching and advertising his or her attributes is automatically displayed. B y standing in front of items they are interested in and also touching it, consumers can get more related information. Inside a shop, shoppers can view related information on their mobile terminals immediately after touching a product.