Research Topics
■Localization System using Ultra Wideband(UWB) for Body Area Networks(BANs) and Sensor Networks
In recent years, wireless communication technologies for the medical and welfare fields have attracted much attention internationally. The number of facilities introducing the use of security sensors with RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tags or cameras is rapidly increasing, however, it is difficult to detect and monitor objects without RFID tags; and there exist privacy issues when using cameras. Monitoring and detecting of individuals having no RFID tags is required in disaster areas or security scenes. In our laboratory, therefore, we aim to refine our ability to detect the state of people having no RFID tags by using UWB signals as a radar. UWB signals have more than 500〔MHz〕bandwidth and a very narrow pulse; therefore UWB signals will have high spatial resolution and a highly accurate localization ability. In addition, the UWB signal is an ideal technology for medical applications and sensor networks, and because of its wide bandwidth and very low power signals, UWB has less interference with other systems.
■Spectral Efficiency Improvement
With the development of wireless communication technology such as digital terrestrial television or cellular phones, reserving necessary frequency bands has become a big problem. However, there exist systems that are assigned frequency bands, but do not use these effectively. In our laboratory, therefore, we are researching the system known as “Cognitive Radio”. This radio system is designed to recognize the most effective and efficient frequency band and adjust itself to the most effective and efficient band. This technology is especially important with the increased competition for bandwidth and innovations in wireless technology, digital terrestrial television, and cellular phones.
■Wireless Communication System for Medical Information Support
In our laboratory, we have applied our research to “MICT” (Medical Information & Communication Technology) with special attention concerning the wireless monitoring and use of systems to collect data form both patients who are under short term and long term convalescence. Studies indicate that substituting wireless devices for cable is not enough to solve all the problems involved in monitoring patients. We are researching reactions to substituting wireless for cables. The burden of the patients can be greatly reduced by this method and it enables patients to move freely during measurement.
■Reliable Robust Radio Control
In our laboratory, we have researched the high reliable wireless communication systems that can receive or send information in strictly limited environments for using radio waves such as in hospitals or factories. To reduce the burden on patients in hospitals or to move robots freely in factories, replacing wired networks with wireless networks is spreading rapidly. However, in the case of sending or receiving vital information in hospitals or controlling robots in factories by radio wave, such information must be reliably received and sent.
Master's Theses
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