Path loss and RMS delay spread model for VLC-based patient health monitoring system

Abstract

Visible Light Communication (VLC) emerges as a supplementary technology to ubiquitous Radio Frequency (RF) since VLC meets the very high data rate, very high reliability, and ultra-low latency requirements driven by the trends in beyond-5G communication systems. Since VLC offers a solution to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and security problems in hospital environments, it becomes a better alternative for Medical Body Sensor Networks (MBSNs). Nonetheless, user mobility in a 3D environment causes a degradation in channel DC gain that leads to an optical path loss and also affects the time dispersive properties of multipath channels. In our paper, we adopt a ray tracing-based site-specific channel modeling method to characterize VLC-based MBSNs channel parameters. Based on the channel characteristics, we propose statistical models for path loss and Root Mean Square (RMS) delay spread in realistic Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward and Family-Type Patient Room (FTPR) where user upon which three MBSNs nodes placed walks over extensive realistic random trajectories. The simulation results indicate that both path loss and RMS delay spread follow a log-normal distribution.