Signal generation and storage in FRET-based nanocommunications

TL;DR

This paper explores FRET-based nanocommunications by proposing self-generating signal transmitters and voltage-converting receivers, modeling their performance for potential in-body medical applications.

Contribution

It introduces luciferase as a self-sufficient FRET transmitter and channelrhodopsins as FRET receivers, advancing nanonetwork communication mechanisms.

Findings

Modeling of luciferase-channelrhodopsin communication system

Numerical validation of throughput and error rates

Analysis of energy consumption and delay

Abstract

The paper is concerned with Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) considered as a mechanism for communication between nanodevices. Two solved issues are reported in the paper, namely: signal generation and signal storage in FRET-based nanonetworks. First, luciferase molecules as FRET transmitters which are able to generate FRET signals themselves, taking energy from chemical reactions without any external light exposure, are proposed. Second, channelrhodopsins as FRET receivers, as they can convert FRET signals into voltage, are suggested. Further, medical in-body systems where both molecule types might be successfully applied, are discussed. Luciferase-channelrhodopsin communication is modeled and its performance is numerically validated, reporting on its throughput, bit error rate, propagation delay and energy consumption.