A two-stage game theoretical approach for interference mitigation in Body-to-Body Networks

International audienceIn this paper, we identify and exploit opportunities for cooperation between a group of mobile Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs), forming a Body-to-Body Network (BBN), through inter-body interference detection and subsequent mitigation. Thus, we consider a dynamic system composed of several BBNs and we analyze the joint mutual and cross-technology interference problem due to the utilization of a limited number of channels by different transmission technologies (i.e., ZigBee and WiFi) sharing the same radio spectrum. To this end, we propose a game theoretical approach to address the problem of Socially-aware Interference Mitigation (SIM) in BBNs, where WBANs are " social " and interact with each other. Our approach considers a two-stage channel allocation scheme: a BBN-stage for inter-WBANs' communications and a WBAN-stage for intra-WBAN communications. We demonstrate that the proposed BBN-stage and WBAN-stage games admit exact potential functions, and we develop a Best-Response (BR-SIM) algorithm that converges to Nash equilibrium points. A second algorithm, named Sub-Optimal Randomized Trials (SORT-SIM), is then proposed and compared to BR-SIM in terms of efficiency and computation time. We further compare the BR-SIM and SORT-SIM algorithms to two power control algorithms in terms of signal-to-interference ratio and aggregate interference, and show that they outperform the power control schemes in several cases. Numerical results, obtained in several realistic mobile scenarios, show that the proposed schemes are indeed efficient in optimizing the channel allocation in medium-to-large-scale BBNs

Socially-Aware Interference Mitigation Game in Body-to-Body Networks

International audience—Wireless wearable devices have recently gained increasing attention from industry in fields such as health, fitness, and entertainment. In this paper, we consider a dynamic system composed of several Body-to-Body Networks (BBNs) based on wearable technology, and we analyze the joint mutual and cross-technology interference problem due to the utilization of a limited number of channels by different transmission technologies (i.e., ZigBee and WiFi) sharing the same radio spectrum. To this end, we propose a game theoretical approach to address the problem of Socially-aware Interference Mitigation (SIM) in BBNs. Our approach considers a two-stage channel allocation scheme: a BBN-stage for inter-WBANs' communications and a WBAN-stage for intra-WBAN communications, involving mutual and cross-technology considerations at each stage. We develop best response algorithms that converge fast to Nash equilibrium points. Simulation results show the efficiency of SIM game in optimizing the channel allocation in BBNs. Index Terms—Body-to-Body Networks, 2.4 GHz ISM band, Cross-Technology Interference, Channel Allocation, Game Theory, Nash Equilibrium

Réseaux de capteurs corporels sans fils : modèles d'optimisation et algorithmes

Motivés par la demande croissante de services de santé améliorés et à distance, qui tend à augmenter notamment avec une population de plus en plus âgée, et la réduction du coût de l'utilisation des infrastructures réseaux, afin d'assurer des applications de santé temps-réel et à faible débit de données, les réseaux de capteurs médicaux sans fil (WBANs) forment encore un domaine de recherche en forte croissance, notamment avec le développement de WBANs coopératifs. Dans ce contexte, en utilisant les utilisateurs du réseau eux-mêmes en tant que relais on pourrait étendre les infrastructures réseaux existantes, tout en améliorant la capacité du réseau et optimisant l'utilisation du spectre radio. Ainsi, les opérateurs réseaux, qui planifient déjà pour l'intégration de l'internet des objets (IoT) et l'informatique en nuage (cloud), devraient aussi penser à créer un nouveau type de réseau ad hoc mobile, où les utilisateurs du réseau sont utilisés comme des stations de base ad hoc simplifiées, afin de partager l'information en temps-réel entre des personnes colocalisées portant des capteurs corporels. Ce nouveau type de réseau est appelé réseau corporel sans fil (BBN: Body-to-Body Network). Dans un BBN, un appareil radio, collecte les données des nœuds capteurs attachés ou portés par une personne, et les transmet à un appareil récepteur situé sur une autre personne du voisinage, afin d'être traitées ou retransmises à d'autres utilisateurs du BBN. le BBN peut trouver des applications dans divers domaines tels que la santé, les sports d'équipe, le militaire, les divertissements, ainsi que des expériences passionnantes des réseaux sociaux. Fonctionnant dans la bande Industrielle, Scientifique et Médicale (ISM), les liaisons de communication dans un BBN seront très sensibles aux interférences entre les différentes technologies qui partagent le spectre radio limité. Ainsi, l'interférence entre ces technologies devient une préoccupation importante pour la conception de protocoles pour l'utilisateur final du BBN. À ce jour, très peu d'études existent, qui effectuent une analyse en profondeur de ce type de scénario implicant le corps humain dans des communications radio. Le problème d'interférence dans un tel système distribué, doit être abordé avec des mécanismes distribués, tels que la théorie des jeux. Les décideurs dans le jeu sont soit les WBANs formant le BBN ou les opérateurs de réseaux qui contrôlent les dispositifs de communication inter-WBAN. Ces dispositifs doivent faire face à des ressources de transmission limitées (bande ISM) ce qui donne lieu à des conflits d'intérêts. Cette thèse vise à explorer les opportunités pour permettre des communications inter-WBANs en assurant le partage du spectre radio par le biais de deux approches. D'abord, l'atténuation des interférences mutuelles et croisées, et par la conception d'un protocole de routage spécifique BBN utilisé dans une application de contrôle de l'expansion d'une épidémie dans les zones de rassemblement de masse, tels que les aéroports. Dans un premier volet, une approche basée sur la théorie des jeux est proposée pour résoudre le problème d'interférence distribué dans les BBNs. Le jeu d'atténuation des interférences socialement conscient des intérêts de la collectivité (SIM) a une double tâche: à l'échelle WBAN, il alloue des canaux ZigBee aux capteurs corporels pour la collecte intra-WBAN des données, et à l'échelle BBN, il alloue les canaux WiFi aux appareils mobiles pour la transmission et le relais des données inter-WBANs. Deux algorithmes, BR-SIM et SORT-SIM, ont été développés pour rechercher les points d'équilibre de Nash du jeu SIM. Le premier (BR-SIM) assure les solutions de meilleure réponse (Best-response) tandis que le second (SORT-SIM) tente d'obtenir un compromis entre des solutions quasi-optimales et un temps de convergence réduit. (...)Motivated by the rising demand for remote and improved healthcare, while decreasing the cost of using network infrastructures to ensure time and data rate-constrained applications, Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) still form a strongly growing research field. Besides, engineers and researchers are investigating new solutions to supplement mobile communications through developing opportunities for cooperative WBANs. In this context, using network users themselves as relays could complement and extend existing infrastructure networks, while improving network capacity and promoting radio spectrum usage. Yet, network operators, that are already planning for the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing technologies integration, should also think about this new possibility of creating a new type of mobile ad hoc network, where network users themselves are used as simplified ad hoc base stations, to fulfill the desire of sharing real-time information between colocated persons carrying body sensors. This emerging type of network is called Body-to-Body Network (BBN). In a BBN, a radio device situated on one person gathers the sensor data from the sensor nodes worn by that person, and transmit them to a transceiver situated on another person in the nearby area, in order to be processed or relayed to other BBN users. BBNs can find applications in a range of areas such as healthcare, team sports, military, entertainment, as well as exciting social networking experiences. Operating in the popular Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band, the communication links in a BBN will be heavily susceptible to interference between the different radio technologies sharing the limited radio spectrum. Thus, inter-body interference become an important concern for protocol design and quality of service for the BBN end user. Yet, higher layer MAC and networking mechanisms need to be in place to overcome this interference problem. To date, very few studies, that perform in-depth analysis of this type of body-centric scenario, exist. The interference problem in such distributed system, should be tackeled with distributed mechanisms, such as Game Theory. The decision makers in the game are either the WBANs/people forming the BBN or the network operators who control the inter-WBAN communicating devices. These devices have to cope with a limited transmission resource (ISM band) that gives rise to a conflict of interests. This thesis aims at exploring the opportunities to enable inter-WBAN communications by ensuring feasible sharing of the radio spectrum through two challenging research issues. First, mutual and cross-technology interference mitigation, and second, the design of a BBN specific routing protocol applied to an epidemic control application within mass gathering areas, such as the airport, as use case in this thesis. In a first phase, a game theoretical approach is proposed to resolve the distributed interference problem in BBNs. The Socially-aware Interference Mitigation (SIM) game performs twofold: at the WBAN stage, it allocates ZigBee channels to body sensors for intra-WBAN data sensing, and at the BBN stage, it allocates WiFi channels to mobile devices for inter-WBAN data transmitting and relaying. Two algorithms, BR-SIM and SORT-SIM, were developed to search for Nash equilibra to the SIM game. The first (BR-SIM) ensures best response solutions while the second (SORT-SIM) attempts to achieve tradeoff between sub-optimal solutions and short convergence time. Then, in order to highlight the social role of BBNs, the second part of this thesis is devoted to propose an epidemic control application tailored to BBNs, in indoor environment. This application implements a geographic routing protocol, that differentiates WBANs traffic and ensures real-time quarantine strategies. (...

Réseaux de capteurs corporels sans fils : modèles d'optimisation et algorithmes

Motivated by the rising demand for remote and improved healthcare, while decreasing the cost of using network infrastructures to ensure time and data rate-constrained applications, Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) still form a strongly growing research field. Besides, engineers and researchers are investigating new solutions to supplement mobile communications through developing opportunities for cooperative WBANs. In this context, using network users themselves as relays could complement and extend existing infrastructure networks, while improving network capacity and promoting radio spectrum usage. Yet, network operators, that are already planning for the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing technologies integration, should also think about this new possibility of creating a new type of mobile ad hoc network, where network users themselves are used as simplified ad hoc base stations, to fulfill the desire of sharing real-time information between colocated persons carrying body sensors. This emerging type of network is called Body-to-Body Network (BBN). In a BBN, a radio device situated on one person gathers the sensor data from the sensor nodes worn by that person, and transmit them to a transceiver situated on another person in the nearby area, in order to be processed or relayed to other BBN users. BBNs can find applications in a range of areas such as healthcare, team sports, military, entertainment, as well as exciting social networking experiences. Operating in the popular Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band, the communication links in a BBN will be heavily susceptible to interference between the different radio technologies sharing the limited radio spectrum. Thus, inter-body interference become an important concern for protocol design and quality of service for the BBN end user. Yet, higher layer MAC and networking mechanisms need to be in place to overcome this interference problem. To date, very few studies, that perform in-depth analysis of this type of body-centric scenario, exist. The interference problem in such distributed system, should be tackeled with distributed mechanisms, such as Game Theory. The decision makers in the game are either the WBANs/people forming the BBN or the network operators who control the inter-WBAN communicating devices. These devices have to cope with a limited transmission resource (ISM band) that gives rise to a conflict of interests. This thesis aims at exploring the opportunities to enable inter-WBAN communications by ensuring feasible sharing of the radio spectrum through two challenging research issues. First, mutual and cross-technology interference mitigation, and second, the design of a BBN specific routing protocol applied to an epidemic control application within mass gathering areas, such as the airport, as use case in this thesis. In a first phase, a game theoretical approach is proposed to resolve the distributed interference problem in BBNs. The Socially-aware Interference Mitigation (SIM) game performs twofold: at the WBAN stage, it allocates ZigBee channels to body sensors for intra-WBAN data sensing, and at the BBN stage, it allocates WiFi channels to mobile devices for inter-WBAN data transmitting and relaying. Two algorithms, BR-SIM and SORT-SIM, were developed to search for Nash equilibra to the SIM game. The first (BR-SIM) ensures best response solutions while the second (SORT-SIM) attempts to achieve tradeoff between sub-optimal solutions and short convergence time. Then, in order to highlight the social role of BBNs, the second part of this thesis is devoted to propose an epidemic control application tailored to BBNs, in indoor environment. This application implements a geographic routing protocol, that differentiates WBANs traffic and ensures real-time quarantine strategies. (...)Motivés par la demande croissante de services de santé améliorés et à distance, qui tend à augmenter notamment avec une population de plus en plus âgée, et la réduction du coût de l'utilisation des infrastructures réseaux, afin d'assurer des applications de santé temps-réel et à faible débit de données, les réseaux de capteurs médicaux sans fil (WBANs) forment encore un domaine de recherche en forte croissance, notamment avec le développement de WBANs coopératifs. Dans ce contexte, en utilisant les utilisateurs du réseau eux-mêmes en tant que relais on pourrait étendre les infrastructures réseaux existantes, tout en améliorant la capacité du réseau et optimisant l'utilisation du spectre radio. Ainsi, les opérateurs réseaux, qui planifient déjà pour l'intégration de l'internet des objets (IoT) et l'informatique en nuage (cloud), devraient aussi penser à créer un nouveau type de réseau ad hoc mobile, où les utilisateurs du réseau sont utilisés comme des stations de base ad hoc simplifiées, afin de partager l'information en temps-réel entre des personnes colocalisées portant des capteurs corporels. Ce nouveau type de réseau est appelé réseau corporel sans fil (BBN: Body-to-Body Network). Dans un BBN, un appareil radio, collecte les données des nœuds capteurs attachés ou portés par une personne, et les transmet à un appareil récepteur situé sur une autre personne du voisinage, afin d'être traitées ou retransmises à d'autres utilisateurs du BBN. le BBN peut trouver des applications dans divers domaines tels que la santé, les sports d'équipe, le militaire, les divertissements, ainsi que des expériences passionnantes des réseaux sociaux. Fonctionnant dans la bande Industrielle, Scientifique et Médicale (ISM), les liaisons de communication dans un BBN seront très sensibles aux interférences entre les différentes technologies qui partagent le spectre radio limité. Ainsi, l'interférence entre ces technologies devient une préoccupation importante pour la conception de protocoles pour l'utilisateur final du BBN. À ce jour, très peu d'études existent, qui effectuent une analyse en profondeur de ce type de scénario implicant le corps humain dans des communications radio. Le problème d'interférence dans un tel système distribué, doit être abordé avec des mécanismes distribués, tels que la théorie des jeux. Les décideurs dans le jeu sont soit les WBANs formant le BBN ou les opérateurs de réseaux qui contrôlent les dispositifs de communication inter-WBAN. Ces dispositifs doivent faire face à des ressources de transmission limitées (bande ISM) ce qui donne lieu à des conflits d'intérêts. Cette thèse vise à explorer les opportunités pour permettre des communications inter-WBANs en assurant le partage du spectre radio par le biais de deux approches. D'abord, l'atténuation des interférences mutuelles et croisées, et par la conception d'un protocole de routage spécifique BBN utilisé dans une application de contrôle de l'expansion d'une épidémie dans les zones de rassemblement de masse, tels que les aéroports. Dans un premier volet, une approche basée sur la théorie des jeux est proposée pour résoudre le problème d'interférence distribué dans les BBNs. Le jeu d'atténuation des interférences socialement conscient des intérêts de la collectivité (SIM) a une double tâche: à l'échelle WBAN, il alloue des canaux ZigBee aux capteurs corporels pour la collecte intra-WBAN des données, et à l'échelle BBN, il alloue les canaux WiFi aux appareils mobiles pour la transmission et le relais des données inter-WBANs. Deux algorithmes, BR-SIM et SORT-SIM, ont été développés pour rechercher les points d'équilibre de Nash du jeu SIM. Le premier (BR-SIM) assure les solutions de meilleure réponse (Best-response) tandis que le second (SORT-SIM) tente d'obtenir un compromis entre des solutions quasi-optimales et un temps de convergence réduit. (...

Future body-to-body networks for ubiquitous healthcare: a survey, taxonomy and challenges

Smart mobile people have a great potential to extend the existing Internet of Things infrastructures by implementing genuine ubiquitous healthcare (U-health) applications, ensuring anywhere and anytime patients connectivity. Through the forwarding of sensing data from person to person until reaching a connected medical server, concrete U-health becomes true with the emerging of future Body-to-Body Networks. Indeed, the coexistence of multiple WBANs (Wireless Body Area Networks), the communication and interactions between them extend the classical concept of WBAN and present the new paradigm referred to as Body-to-Body Network (BBN). This paradigm supports a number of innovative applications such as U-health, entertainment, interactive gaming and military, to cite a few. In this paper, we present a survey of BBNs focusing on three principal axes: energy efficiency, mobility prediction, and quality of service (QoS). Then, we present and discuss different candidate protocols that can be used in BBNs, while illustrating main BBN design challenges and several open issues

Joint epidemic control and routing in mass gathering areas using Body-to-Body Networks

Body-to-Body Networks (BBNs) have recently gained momentum as a revolutionary technology for the monitoring of people behavior with real-time updates of medical records and interactive assistance in emergency situations, like the spread of pandemic diseases. This paper investigates the epidemic control issue in mass gathering areas (i.e., the airports) from a practical point of view by using BBNs and by adopting some key features from existing epidemiology models. We first introduce a BBN-based epidemic control framework. Second, we define an Epidemic-aware Routing Metric and then propose a Location-Aided Routing protocol tailored to BBNs, called BB-LAR, along with an epidemic control mechanism, in order to exchange epidemic data and help the authority control unit in detecting and quarantining the infected subjects. Finally, we evaluate the performance of BB-LAR with respect to existing routing schemes in terms of packet delivery ratio, end-to-end delay, and energy consumption

MAC-network cross-layer energy optimization model for Wireless Body Area Networks

In recent years, Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) have gained increasing interest in the research community and become an emerging technology, especially in healthcare services. This position paper focuses on the energy optimization issue and the joint routing and MAC protocols in WBANs. We extend upon our previous model on the Energy-Aware Topology Design for WBANs (EAWD), so as to include PHY and MAC-layer WBAN specifications. Indeed, EAWD model considered the topology constraints by minimizing the number of relay nodes, in order to reduce the total energy consumption, as well as the total network installation cost. Yet, EAWD involved quite rough assumptions, omitting overhead considerations, due to MAC routing and physical clear channel assessment problems. Therefore, we first introduce the EAWD model and discuss its limitations. Then, we present our proposal, the Enhanced EAWD (EEAWD), and assess its performance through a synthesis comparison with EAWD and related proposals in the literature

A game theoretical approach for interference mitigation in Body-to-Body Networks

In this paper, we consider a dynamic system composed of several Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) interacting with the surrounding environment, forming Body-to-Body Networks (BBNs). In this dynamic BBN system, we analyze the joint mutual and cross-technology interference problem due to the utilization of a limited number of channels by different transmission technologies (i.e., ZigBee and WiFi) sharing the same radio spectrum. To this end, we propose a game theoretical approach to address the problem of Interference Mitigation in BBNs. Our approach considers a two-stage channel allocation scheme: a BBN-stage for inter-WBANs ’ communications and a WBAN-stage for intra-WBAN communications. We demonstrate that the proposed BBN-stage and WBAN-stage games admit exact potential functions and develop best response algorithms that converge fast to Nash equilibrium points. Finally, numerical results show that the proposed approach is indeed efficient in optimizing the channel allocations in BBNs while using different transmission technologies