Controlled Signaling and Transmitter Replenishment for MC with Functionalized Nanoparticles

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel transmitter model for molecular communication using functionalized nanoparticles, featuring controlled molecule release and enzymatic reloading, validated through numerical evaluation and comparison with particle-based simulations.

Contribution

It presents a new transmitter model with switchable membranes and enzymatic reloading, advancing the realism and control in molecular communication systems.

Findings

The proposed model accurately captures molecule release dynamics.

Enzymatic reloading reduces the need for repeated injections.

Numerical results align well with particle-based simulations.

Abstract

In this paper, we propose novel Transmitter (Tx) models for Molecular Communication (MC) systems based on functionalized Nanoparticles (NPs). Current Tx models often rely on simplifying assumptions for the molecule release and replenishment mechanisms. In contrast, we propose a Tx model where the signaling molecule release is controlled by a switchable membrane driven by an external trigger. Moreover, we propose a reloading mechanism, where signaling molecules are harvested based on an enzymatic reaction. Hence, no repeated injection of signaling molecules is required. For the proposed Tx model, we develop a general mathematical description in terms of a discrete-time transfer function model. Furthermore, we investigate two realizations of the proposed Tx model, i.e., an idealized Tx relying on simplifying assumptions, and a realistic Tx employing practical components for the reloading and release mechanisms. Finally, we numerically evaluate the proposed model and compare our results to stochastic Particle Based Simulations (PBSs).