MIMO In Vivo

TL;DR

This study evaluates MIMO performance in in vivo environments using simulation tools, demonstrating that MIMO can significantly increase data rates up to 100 Mbps despite challenges posed by lossy tissues and SAR constraints.

Contribution

First comprehensive simulation analysis of MIMO in vivo environments showing potential for doubling data rates within SAR limits.

Findings

MIMO achieves at least twice the data rate of SISO in vivo.

Significant performance gains are possible despite lossy tissue effects.

Target data rates of 100 Mbps are feasible with MIMO in vivo.

Abstract

We present the performance of MIMO for in vivo environments, using ANSYS HFSS and their complete human body model, to determine the maximum data rates that can be achieved using an IEEE 802.11n system. Due to the lossy nature of the in vivo medium, achieving high data rates with reliable performance will be a challenge, especially since the in vivo antenna performance is strongly affected by near field coupling to the lossy medium and the signals levels will be limited by specified specific absorption rate (SAR) levels. We analyzed the bit error rate (BER) of a MIMO system with one pair of antennas placed in vivo and the second pair placed inside and outside the body at various distances from the in vivo antennas. The results were compared to SISO simulations and showed that by using MIMO in vivo, significant performance gain can be achieved, and at least two times the data rate can be supported with SAR limited transmit power levels, making it possible to achieve target data rates in the 100 Mbps.