An intra-body linear channel model based on neuronal subthreshold stimulation

Intra-body communication networks, where natural biological processes support the realization of links for the transmission, propagation, and reception of information, are at the cutting edge research for the pervasive interconnection of future wearable and implantable devices. In particular, the study of neurons as means to propagate information between these devices is encouraged by their ubiquitous distribution within the body and the existence of well-established techniques for their electrical interfacing. In this paper, a communication system is proposed based on the so-called subthreshold electrical stimulation of a neuron, and the propagation of this stimulation along the neuron length. This stimulation technique does not result in the generation of electrochemical spikes (action potentials), naturally carrying information within the nervous system, thus reducing the interference with the normal body functionalities. The use of subthreshold stimulation allows the analytical formulation of a linear channel model for the proposed communication system by stemming from the quasi-active model of the neuron's membrane from the neurophysiology literature. Numerical results from the developed analytical models are compared to simulation results obtained through the widely-used NEURON software.

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