Analogue RF front-end IC design for ultra-wideband implantable wireless body area network radio

Implantable wireless body area networks (WBAN) are a promising technology for health monitoring and treatment of patients requiring special care, where sensors are placed inside the human body to carry out measurements which may include telemetry or video streaming. Ultra-Wideband technology (UWB) is investigated as a candidate for the proposed implanted wireless body area sensor network due to its wide frequency spectrum and, hence, its low bit energy. UWB is introduced and then explored in terms of system constraints and circuit implementation. In this work the author has explored the unlicensed frequency spectrum to achieve better communication for implantable medical devices, since the licensed frequency band has been occupied and is overcrowded. The advantages of the unlicensed frequency band technology include a wide bandwidth which allows for Gigabit data rates over short distances. This technology only requires low power consumption due to the low complexity of the Ultra-wideband system and the low transmit power. However, with the growing demand for wireless communications systems, more challenging requirements arise. Since a wide frequency range is required, the design of a transceiver front end in the entire frequency range is challenging. In this work the author has designed a transceiver RF front end, optimised for low power using Silicon on Sapphire (SOS) CMOS technology. The circuit designed has been fabricated and measured. The author also describes how applicable UWB is used for implantable WBANs and invites future work on designing a radio capable of being installed inside the human body for medical care and monitoring.