Antenna design and channel modeling in the BAN context-part II: Channel

The first results achieved in the French ANR (National Research Agency) project BANET (Body Area NEtwork and Technologies) concerning the channel characterization and modeling aspects of Body Area Networks (BANs) are presented (part II). A scenario-based approach is used to determine the BAN statistical behavior, trends, and eventually models, from numerous measurement campaigns. Measurement setups are carefully described in the UWB context. The numerous sources of variability of the channel are addressed. A particular focus is put on the time-variant channel, showing notably that it is the main cause of the slow fading variance. Issues related to the data processing and the measurement uncertainties are also described.