RedTacton

Presented By,
JOSE THOMAS.P
Computer Science & Engineering
Semester 7
TocH Institute of Science&Technology
Date:17/9/2010

Overview

Introduction
History
What is RedTacton?
How it works?
Functional features
Applications
Comparison with other networks
Challenges
Conclusion

INTRODUCTION
RedTacton is a new Human Area networking technology, which
is under development that uses the surface of the human body as a safe,
high speed network transmission path.
Technically, it is completely distinct from wireless and infrared
technologies as it uses the minute electric field emitted on the surface of
human body as medium for transmitting the data.
RedTacton can achieve duplex communication over the human body at a
maximum speed of 10 Mbps.
RedTacton involves initiating communication with a touch that could result
in a wide range of actions in response. Transmission path is formed when
a part of the human body comes in contact.
RedTacton works through shoes and clothing as well.

HISTORY
The concept of intra-body communication was first proposed by IBM
in 1996.
This communication mechanism was later evaluated and reported by
several research groups around the world.
All those reported technologies had two limitations.
The operating range through the body was limited to a few tens
of centimeters.
The top communication speed was only 40 bit/s!!
These limitations were overcome by NTT (Nippon Telegraph and
Telephone Corporation) located in Tokyo, Japan by using
photonic electric field sensors and finally in 2005 they came
up with a human area networking technology called
REDTACTON

What is RedTacton?
Red : a warm color to emphasis warm and cordial communications.
TACTON : Action triggered by Touching.

RedTacton utilizes a point to point network, known as a

Pico net that allows information to be exchanged between
two transceivers without the need for a server to store or
process information.

Above Figure shows RED TACTON Device

How Red Tacton works ?

Figure shows the working of the REDTACTON device over the surface of our body.

How it works?
RedTacton operates on the idea that optical properties of
an electro-optic crystal can vary according to the changes
of a weak electric field.
After contract with another RedTacton enabled device, the
transmitter induces a weak electric field on the surface of
the body.
The weak electric fields pass through the body to a
RedTacton receiver, where the weak electric fields affect
the optical properties of an electro-optic crystal.
The extend to which the optical properties are changed is
detected by laser light, which is then converted to an
electrical signal by a detector circuit.

 Receiving data is more complicated because the strength of the

electric field involved is so low. RedTacton gets around this using a
technique called electric field photonics: A laser is passed though
an electro-optic crystal, which deflects light differently according to
the strength of the field across it. These deflections are measured
and converted back into electrical signals to retrieve the transmitted
data.
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 access
with the same medium from multiple nodes. Each transceiver card
has an unique MAC address

Mechanism of communication with RedTacton

Figure shows the various electric fields on the surface of our body induced by the RED
TACTON device..

Only a portion of the induced electric field is sensed

by the receiving RED TACTON device. The remaining
electric fields are dissipated to the ground

The electric field Es that reaches the receiver is

Es = Ea (Eb + Ec)
The crackling sensation one feels when shocked
by static electricity is caused by an electric current
of several dozen milli-amperes suddenly flowing
into the body from the outside.

HUMAN SAFETY
RedTacton transceiver electrodes are covered with an insulating film,
so there is no way that current from RedTacton can flow into the user's
body.
Note however that, just like the weak electromagnetic waves produced
by most common electrical appliances, a faint modulating displacement
current does pass through the body when using RedTacton .
The level of displacement current involved is considered harmless and
is in full compliance with the "Radio Frequency-Exposure Protection
Standard <RCR STD-38> established by the Association of Radio
Industries and Businesses (ARIB).

WHAT DOES IT NEED?

Each device we wish to communicate with must be
equipped with a RedTacton transceiver that is able to detect
the messages programmed into our own device.
We are able to program our devices to exchange specific
types of information by using a programmable transceiver
that connects to any computer and allows users to
customize their transmission settings through a graphical
user interface.
Once our transmitter, is programmed to recognize and
exchange information with other devices we select, we will
be able to communicate with them easily.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

When using a RedTacton device, the human body

effectively becomes an Ethernet cable, so the body can use
its electrical field to connect devices to networks or the
internet.
For example, if a person wearing a RedTacton device sat
at a table with RedTacton capabilities that was connected to
the Internet, the laptop would immediately be connected to
the internet.
Seems similar to a wireless network connection, but it is
not. There is a physical connection, the person.
The connection is more secure and does not slow down if
many people are using the same connection, as a wireless
connection does.

RED TACTON TRANSCEIVER

Block diagram of Red TACTON transceiver.

REDTACTON TRANSCEIVER:
The signal from the interface is sent to the data sense
circuit and the transmitter circuit.
The data sense circuit senses the signal and if the data
is present it sends control signal to the transmitter which
activates the transmitter circuit.
The transmitter circuit varies the electric field on the
surface of our body.
This change in the electric field is detected by the
electro-optic sensor.
The output of the electro-optic sensor is given to the
detector circuit, which in turn given to the interface of the
receiving RedTacton device.

WORKING PROCEDURE

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Transmitter sends data

Transmitting transceiver creates a change in the field
Field from human body dissipates into earth
Electric field is received using sensing technology
Receiving transceiver recognizes the change in the electric field
Sensing technology measures the weak electric fields induced.
Electro-optical crystal uses laser to convert and read the signal

Why RedTacton?
Bluetooth, infrared etc. were the most commonly used
techniques for data transmission.
But these short-range wireless communication systems have
some problems.
Throughput is reduced by packet collisions
The principle drawback of infrared communications (IrDA) is
the tight directionality of beams between terminals needed for
the system to be effective

 The ultimate human area network solution to all these

constraints of conventional technologies is intra body
communication, in which the human body serves as the
transmission medium.
Human area networks would solve all the problems
including throughput reduction, low security, and high net
-work setup costs.

FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OF RED TACTON

RedTacton has three main functional features:
1. Touch
2. Broadband & Interactive
3. Any media

TOUCH
Communication with just a touch or a step!
Touching, 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.

BROADBAND & INTERACTIVE

does notcommunication
deteriorate even
with duplex
operationspeed
&
Bandwidth
Duplex, interactive
is possible
at a maximum
of
simultaneous
access by many users!
10Mbps.
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 .

Figures shows difference between

wireless LAN and RedTacton

ANY MEDIA
Works with many transmission media 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.

DIELECTRICS
(Signals can pass through materials)

CONDUCTORS
(Signals travel along surface)

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

using items close at hand, such as desks, walls, and metal objects. But
there is one limitation on the length of the conductor to be propagated,
on installation locations, and on the thickness of the dielectric to be
passed through.

APPLICATIONS
One to One services

Information recorded in the RedTacton device is sent to the

touched objects.
Appropriate service is provided based on the information received
by the RedTacton receiver.
Elimination of Human Errors:

RedTacton devices embedded Medicine bottles transmit

information of medicine attributes.
If the patient touches the wrong medicine, an alarm will trigger on
the terminal he is carrying.
Patients wearing the device could quickly and securely transmit
their medical history to doctors.
Avoidance of risks at construction sites: an alarm sounds if special
equipments are handled by anyone other than supervisors

Intuitive Operations
Communication is triggered by totally natural human actions and
behavior.
Transfer songs to portable music players from notebook PCs with just a
touch.
No need to insert smart cards, connect cables, tune frequencies, or any
of the other inconveniences usually associated with today's electronic
devices.
Imagine holding your digital camera in one hand and touching a printer
with your other which initiates the transfer of images from your camera
to your printer. In an instant you have downloaded your pictures and are
ready to print them out without the need for connecting cables and
intermediary devices such as a computer.

Device personalization

Personalization of mobile phones :

You own phone number is allocated & billing commences.

Automatic importing of personal address book and call history.

Personalization of automobiles :

The seat position and steering wheel height adjust to match the
driver just by sitting in the car.

The drivers home is set as the destination in the car navigation

system.

The stereo plays the driver's favorite song.

Car alarm systems could also get more secure

using RedTacton.

New behavior patterns :

Tables, walls, floors and chairs can all act as conductors and dielectrics,
turning furniture and other architectural elements into a new class of
transmission medium.
For example, a user could have instant access to the Internet merely by
placing a laptop onto a conductive tabletop
Marketing applications :
By touching or standing in front of items
they are interested in,
consumers can get more in-depth information.

Inside a shop, shoppers can view

related information on their mobile
terminals
immediately
after
touching a product.

Security applications :
User verification and lock management at entrance: RedTacton
could be installed on doors, cabinets and other locations calling for secure
access, such that each secure access could be initiated and
authenticated with a simple touch
Gun Security: If a RedTacton transceiver were implanted in the gun and
programmed to a transceiver worn by a soldier, then only that soldier
could fire the weapon.
Confidential document
management

User verification and unlocking with just a

touch

Applications

Instant private data exchange

Electronic business cards can be shared

by shaking hands

Touch printer to print

User verification and unlocking with just a touch

ADVANTAGES
RedTacton does not require the electrode to be in direct contact with the
skin.
Can transmit data at a rate higher than that of peer technologies. (max.
of 10Mbps)
RedTacton transceivers are programmable and we can decide what to
share with whom and what devices you communicate with.
Each communication occurs in separate channels.
Transmission speed does not deteriorate even though the number of
users increases.

 Data loss during transfer is less

Use of minimum amount of power (of some milli-volt
range)
Security is more.
No problem of hackers . It is very hard to pick up stray
electronic signals radiating from the body.
More secure than Bluetooth.
Superior than infrared technology & Wi-Fi.

Comparison with other Intra-body 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

COMPARISON WITH OTHER NETWORKS

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.

 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.

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

COMPARISON WITH OTHER NETWORKS

Above Figure shows the comparison of RED TACTON device with other
networks with respect to distance.

P: Poor

E: Excellent

ADVANTAGE OVER BLUETOOTH

RedTacton claims to be able to send data over the
human skin surface at transfer speeds of up to 10Mbps,
or better than a broadband T1 connection.
Maximum speed offered by Bluetooth is 3Mbps.
According to Tom Zimmerman,
Zimmerman inventor of the IBM
personal networking system, body-based networking
is more secure than broadcast systems, such as
Bluetooth, which have a range of about 10m.The issue is
that with Bluetooth, it is difficult to rein in the signal and
restrict it to the device you are trying to connect to. In a
busy place there could be hundreds of Bluetooth devices
within range. The signal can be tapped into and used by
others.

PROTOTYPE DEVICES
Security devices whose development has been completed

Portable Card-Size Transmitter

Transmission rate:230 kbps

Protocol: Proprietary protocol
Transmission method: Unidirectional

Embedded Receiver

Transmission rate:230 kbps

Protocol: Proprietary protocol
Transmission method: Unidirectional
External device interface:
10/100Base-T,RS232C

Transmission devices whose development is in progress.

REDTACTON Transceiver (PC-Card Type)

Transmission rate: 10 Mbps

Protocol: TCP/IP
Transmission method: Half-duplex
Terminal interface: PCMCIA

REDTACTON Transceiver (Hub Type)

Transmission rate:10 Mbps

Protocol: TCP/IP
Transmission method: Half-duplex
External device interface:10BASE-T

USB Transceiver

Transmission rate not yet determined

(in testing stage)

CHALLENGES
The obvious barrier to entry is that the cost and time to develop
HAN TECH. is very expensive.

As a new technology HAN need to gain popularity among users

to help pull the technology into the marketplace instead of having
it pushed upon them.

Widespread marketing campaigns will need to be developed to

highlight the benefits of HAN technology to facilitate its adoption.
Not useful unless many people adopt it.
It can be useful within few centimeters only.

CONCLUSION
Many areas can benefit from this technology. Human society
is entering an era of ubiquitous computing, where everything is
networked. RedTacton is gearing up to compete with Bluetooth,
Zigbee, IrDA (infrared data association), UWB (ultra wide band).
So we can clearly say that, this technology will spawn
revolutionary changes in the modern communications and become a
pivot technology. When we compare RedTacton with other
technologies, RedTacton will give a better performance over other.
If RedTacton is introduced into cyber market it brings a marvelous &
tremendous change and will be adopted by many more people.
So, in few years from now everything is going
to fall under this super technology. And, finally I conclude,
FUTURE BELONGS TO

RED TACTON

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