Communication Energy Analysis in Soft Robotic and Artificial Skin Covered Structures Using Modified X-Node WBAN Network

Abstract

In this work, effect of using robotic materials on energy consumption is examined and modelled as a function of path loss coefficient affecting communication paths between sensor nodes. This is important, as the path loss coefficient for soft robotics materials or ones that are skin-covered is similar to the wearable garment by humans with sensors, forming a wireless body area networks (WBANs). The simulation and analysis results demonstrated that there is a power relationship between residual energy and both transmitted data packets and path loss coefficient, which connects energy to path loss. The research established a relationship between residual energy and data size, and a relationship between residual energy and path loss coefficient. The research also showed that a communication channel network will collapse if the planned and desired data to be transferred is greater than the device’s rated data capacity. These discoveries are crucial because they help choose the optimum nodes count for data rate and optimize the number of nodes to reduce the rate of energy depletion. Additionally, it aids in estimating how long a device can operate before the need for recharge. The mathematical equations created as a consequence of simulation are highly helpful in selecting the number of nodes and path loss coefficient of the structural materials used in robotics. The work employed a modified X-shape node distribution to offer thorough robotic body coverage and a number of deviant pathways or routes. The work enables WBAN design optimization using robots, before using nodes distribution within WBAN on humans.

Keywords

• Energy
• path loss
• wearable sensors
• data transmission
• communication
• WBAN