Body Area Network

We’ve heard of WLANs (wireless LANs) and WANs (wide area networks) before, but how about a Body Area Network (BAN)? Well, Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) have broken new ground with an electrocardiograph which can be worn just like an accessory, functioning as a BAN – using short-distance wireless communication technology by performing an electrocardiogram for 24 hours straight while sending the measurements and readings wirelessly as long as it is worn. This will go great lengths in making personal health management easier in everyday life. BAN is currently being standardized at IEEE802.15.6, so it will take some time before it enters the mainstream.