Fabric area network - a new wireless communications infrastructure to enable ubiquitous networking and sensing on intelligent clothing

Abstract Pieces of clothing and accessories can now communicate wirelessly with each other to form a data communication and sensing network for ubiquitous mobile-services. The architecture and technology of the fabric area network (FAN) will be described, and how a network of emission-safe, low-power and low-cost wireless links can be easily implemented on clothing. Because the range of the RF communications is restricted to the surfaces of the clothing, interference of bandwidth and data security can be easily controlled. The wireless links can supply power to devices on the clothing. This paper presents the working prototypes and the research work in progress.