Experimental Assessment of A Framework for In-body RF-backscattering Localization

TL;DR

This paper presents an experimental framework for RF-backscatter-based in-body device localization, evaluating its performance in realistic conditions and highlighting key factors affecting accuracy and challenges to address.

Contribution

It introduces an experimental setup inspired by ReMix for in-body RF-backscatter localization and assesses real-world performance with insights on optimization and challenges.

Findings

Optimal device positioning improves localization accuracy

Tissue density affects signal attenuation and performance

External interference and enclosures impact signal propagation

Abstract

Localization of in-body devices is beneficial for Gastrointestinal (GI) diagnosis and targeted treatment. Traditional methods such as imaging and endoscopy are invasive and limited in resolution, highlighting the need for innovative alternatives. This study presents an experimental framework for Radio Frequency (RF)-backscatter-based in-body localization, inspired by the ReMix approach, and evaluates its performance in real-world conditions. The experimental setup includes an in-body backscatter device and various off-body antenna configurations to investigate harmonic generation and reception in air, chicken and pork tissues. The results indicate that optimal backscatter device positioning, antenna selection, and gain settings significantly impact performance, with denser biological tissues leading to greater attenuation. The study also highlights challenges such as external interference and plastic enclosures affecting propagation. The findings emphasize the importance of interference mitigation and refined propagation models to enhance performance.