PRESENTATION ON

REDTACTON

A Human Area Networking
Technology




Presented By:
Brijesh Yadav 2k10/CO/026
Manmeet Nagar 2k10/CO/055



RedTacton

Overview
Introduction
History
What is RedTacton?
How it works?
Functional features
Applications
Comparison with other networks
Challenges
Conclusion
References


INTRODUCTION
RedTacton is a Human Area Networking technology, which
is under development, that uses the surface of the human
body as a safe, high speed network transmission path. It is
completely distinct from wireless and infrared technologies as
it uses the minute electric field emitted on the surface of the
human body.
A transmission path is formed at the moment a part of the
human body comes in contact with a RedTacton transceiver.
Communication is possible using any body surfaces, such as
the hands, fingers, arms, feet, face, legs or torso. RedTacton
works through shoes and clothing as well. When the physical
contact gets separated, the communication is ended.
Using RedTacton-enabled devices, music from a digital audio
player in your pocket would pass through your clothing and
shoot over your body to headphones in your ears. Instead of
fiddling around with a cable to connect your digital camera to
your computer, you could transfer pictures just by touching
the PC while the camera is around your neck. And since data
can pass from one body to another, you could also exchange
electronic business cards by shaking hands, trade music files
by dancing cheek to cheek, or swap phone numbers just
by kissing.
Currently, RedTacton is gearing up to compete with
Bluetooth, Zigbee, IrDA (infrared data association), UWB
(ultra wide band), and other wireless communication
forms. These competing technologies are different in that
they use radio frequency or light to transmit data short
distances. They also tend to work at slower speeds that
RedTacton which, as mentioned before, uses the bodys
electrical field to transmit at a high speed. Additionally, since
RedTacton requires touch and has a low potential for
interference, it it much more secure than the competition.
RedTacton is a new Human Area networking technology,
which is under development that uses the surface of the
human body as a safe, high speed network transmission path.
Technically, it is completely distinct from wireless and
infrared technologies as it uses the minute electric field
emitted on the surface of human body as medium for
transmitting the data. RedTacton can achieve duplex
communication over the human body at a maximum speed of
10 Mbps.


RedTacton involves initiating communication with a touch
that could result in a wide range of actions in response.
Transmission path is formed when a part of the human body
comes in contact.
RedTacton works through shoes and clothing as well. Using a
new super-sensitive photonic electric field sensor, RedTacton
can achieve duplex communication over the human body at a
maximum speed of 10 mbps. The Red Tacton transmitter
induces a weak electric field on the surface of the body. The
Red Tacton receiver senses changes in the weak electric
field on the surface of the body caused by the transmitter
[2].
Red Tacton relies upon the principle that the optical properties
of an electro-optic crystal can vary according to the
changes of a weak electric field. Red Tacton detects
changes in the optical properties of an electro-optic crystal
using a laser and converts the result to an electrical signal in
an optical receiver circuit. The transmitter sends data by
inducing fluctuations in the minute electric field on the
surface of the human body. Data is received using a photonic
electric field sensor that combines an electro-optic crystal
and a laser light to detect fluctuations in the minute electric
field.
The naturally occurring electric field induced on the surface of
the human body dissipates into the earth. Therefore, this
electric field is exceptionally faint and unstable. The photonic
electric field sensor developed by NTT enables weak electric
fields to be measured by detecting changes in the optical
properties of an electro-optic crystal with a laser beam.
This is the technology that has made many tasks easier. Red
Tacton is a new human area networking technology. Red
Tacton is a new technology of Human Area Networking that
uses the surface of the human body. It is a high speed and safe
network transmission field.
This technology uses the weak electric field emitted on the
surface of the human body. It relies on the rule of optical
properties of an electro-optic crystal. It may vary depending
on the changes of weak electric signal. Beside WANs and
LANs, Human Area Networks (HANs) support many
applications which are best served. Human society is going to
have an impact on ubiquitous computing where everything is
networked.
There are three main functional features of Red Tacton. They
are Touch, Broadband & Interactive, and any media. With
Touch, touching, walking, gripping, sitting, stepping and other
human movements can be the triggers for starting or stopping
equipment, locking or unlocking, or obtaining data. With
Broadband & Interactive, drivers are being downloaded
instantly and executable programs are being sent quickly. In
transmission media, many dielectrics and conductors are
being used as transmission media. Conductors and dielectrics
are used in combination.
.






HISTORY
The concept of intra-body communication was first
proposed by IBM in 1996.
This communication mechanism was later evaluated and
reported by several research groups around the world.
All those reported technologies had two limitations.
The operating range through the body was limited to
a few tens of centimeters.
The top communication speed was only 40 bit/s!!
These limitations were overcome by NTT (Nippon
Telegraph and Telephone Corporation) located in Tokyo,
Japan by using photonic electric field sensors and finally in
2005 they came up with a human area networking technology
called REDTACTON

What is RedTacton?
Red : a warm color to emphasis warm and cordial
communications.
TACTON : Action triggered by Touching.
RedTacton utilizes a point to point network, known
as a Pico net that allows information to be exchanged
between two transceivers without the need for a server to
store or process information.



WORKING PROCEDURE
1. Transmitter sends data
2. Transmitting transceiver creates a change in the field
3. Field from human body dissipates into earth
4. Electric field is received using sensing technology
5. Receiving transceiver recognizes the change in the
electric field
6. Sensing technology measures the weak electric fields
induced.
7. Electro-optical crystal uses laser to convert and read the
signal

How it works?
RedTacton operates on the idea that optical properties of an
electro-optic crystal can vary according to the changes of a
weak electric field. After contract with another RedTacton
enabled device, the transmitter induces a weak electric field
on the surface of the body. The weak electric fields pass
through the body to a RedTacton receiver, where the weak
electric fields affect the optical properties of an electro-optic
crystal. The extend to which the optical properties are
changed is detected by laser light, which is then converted to
an electrical signal by a detector circuit.




Receiving data is more complicated because the strength of
the electric field involved is so low. RedTacton gets around
this using a technique called electric field photonics: A laser
is passed though an electro-optic crystal, which deflects light
differently according to the strength of the field across it.
These deflections are measured and converted back into
electrical signals to retrieve the transmitted data.

















Multiple transceivers can be used simultaneously. This is
because RedTacton uses a proprietary CSMA/CD (Carrier
Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) protocol that
allows multiple access with the same medium from multiple
nodes. Each transceiver card has an unique MAC address
mechanism of communication with RedTacton .
Only a portion of the induced electric field is sensed by the
receiving RED TACTON device. The remaining electric
fields are dissipated to the ground.







HUMAN SAFETY

RedTacton transceiver electrodes are covered with an
insulating film, so there is no way that current from
RedTacton can flow into the user's body.

Note however that, just like the weak electromagnetic
waves produced by most common electrical appliances,
a faint modulating displacement current does pass
through the body when using RedTacton .


The level of displacement current involved is
considered harmless and is in full compliance with the
"Radio Frequency-Exposure Protection Standard <RCR
STD-38> established by the Association of Radio
Industries and Businesses (ARIB).


WHAT DOES IT NEED?
Each device we wish to communicate with must be
equipped with a RedTacton transceiver that is able to
detect the messages programmed into our own device.
We are able to program our devices to exchange specific
types of information by using a programmable
transceiver that connects to any computer and allows
users to customize their transmission settings through a
graphical user interface.
Once our transmitter, is programmed to recognize and
exchange information with other devices we select, we
will be able to communicate with them easily.




WHAT DOES IT DO?
When using a RedTacton device, the human body
effectively becomes an Ethernet cable, so the body can
use its electrical field to connect devices to networks or
the internet.
For example, if a person wearing a RedTacton device sat
at a table with RedTacton capabilities that was connected
to the Internet, the laptop would immediately be
connected to the internet.
Seems similar to a wireless network connection, but it is
not. There is a physical connection, the person.
The connection is more secure and does not slow down if
many people are using the same connection, as a wireless
connection does.

REDTACTON TRANSCEIVER:

The signal from the interface is sent to the data sense
circuit and the transmitter circuit.
The data sense circuit senses the signal and if the data is
present it sends control signal to the transmitter which
activates the transmitter circuit.
The transmitter circuit varies the electric field on the
surface of our body.
This change in the electric field is detected by the
electro-optic sensor.
The output of the electro-optic sensor is given to the
detector circuit, which in turn given to the interface of
the receiving RedTacton device.

Why RedTacton?
Bluetooth, infrared etc. were the most commonly used
techniques for data transmission.
But these short-range wireless communication systems
have some problems.
Throughput is reduced by packet collisions
The principle drawback of infrared communications
(IrDA) is the tight directionality of beams between
terminals needed for the system to be effective
The ultimate human area network solution to all these
constraints of conventional technologies is intra body
communication, in which the human body serves as the
transmission medium.
Human area networks would solve all the problems
including throughput reduction, low security, and high
net -work setup costs.


FEATURES

1. TOUCH
Touching, gripping, sitting, walking, stepping and other
human movements can be the triggers for unlocking or
locking, starting or stopping equipment, or obtaining data.
using Red Tacton, communication starts when terminals
carried by the user or embedded in devices are linked in
various combinations through physical contact according to
the human's natural movements.

2. BROADBAND & INTERACTIVE
Duplex, interactive communication is possible at a maximum
speed of 10Mbps. Because the transmission path is on the
surface of the body, transmission speed does not deteriorate in
congested areas where many people are communicating at the
same time .Taking advantage of this speed, device drivers can
be downloaded instantly and execute programs can be sent.

3. ANY MEDIA
In addition to the human body, various conductors and
dielectrics can be used as transmission media. Conductors and
dielectrics may also be used in combination.

DI ELETRICS CONDUCTORS

(Signals pass through materials) (Signals travel along surface)
.
A communication environment can be created easily and at
low-cost by using items close at hand, such as desks, walls,
and metal objects. But there is one limitation on the length of
the conductor to be propagated, on installation locations, and
on the thickness of the dielectric to be passed through.

APPLICATIONS

Information recorded in the RedTacton device is sent to
the touched objects.
Appropriate service is provided based on the information
received by the RedTacton receiver.

Elimination of Human Errors:
Communication is triggered by totally natural human
actions and behavior.
Transfer songs to portable music players from notebook
PCs with just a touch.
No need to insert smart cards, connect cables, tune
frequencies, or any of the other inconveniences usually
associated with today's electronic devices.
Imagine holding your digital camera in one hand and
touching a printer with your other which initiates the
transfer of images from your camera to your printer. In
an instant you have downloaded your pictures and are
ready to print them out without the need for connecting
cables and intermediary devices such as a computer.


New behavior patterns :
Tables, walls, floors and chairs can all act as conductors
and dielectrics, turning furniture and other architectural
elements into a new class of transmission medium.
For example, a user could have instant access to the
Internet merely by placing a laptop onto a conductive tabletop

Marketing applications :
By touching or standing in front of items
they are interested in, consumers can get more in-depth
information.


Personalization
There are many applications under personalization. Some
applications are :

1. Just Touching a phone makes it your own
Your own phone number is allocated and billing
commences. Automatic importing of personal address book
and call history.

2. Personalisation of Automobiles
The seat position and steering wheel height adjust to
match the driver just by sitting in the car [6]. The drivers
home is set as the destination in the car navigation system.
The stereo plays the drivers favorite song.

3. Wireless Headset
Red Tacton can carry music or video between
headsets, mobile devices, mobile phones, etc. Users can listen
to music from a Red Tacton player simply by putting on a
headset or holding a viewer.

4. Conference System
An electrically conductive sheet is embedded in
the table. A network connection is initiated simply by placing
a lap-top on the table. Using different sheet patterns enables
segmentation of the table into subnets.



Security applications :
User verification and lock management at entrance:
RedTacton could be installed on doors, cabinets and
other locations calling for secure access, such that each
secure access could be initiated and authenticated with a
simple touch
Gun Security: If a RedTacton transceiver were
implanted in the gun and programmed to a transceiver
worn by a soldier, then only that soldier
could fire the weapon.
Confidential document Management

Other Applications:
Red Tacton has many applications. So, it is not easy to
explore all the applications. Some additional applications are

1. Under Water Communication
Red Tacton allows communication in
outer space and in water where the speech constraints are very
high and thus enables a highly efficient means of expression
of speech which is beyond the purvey of human beings.

2. Communication inside body
Red Tacton is also used for the
treatment. In human body, it is used to detect ailments such as
abnormal growths, tumors and excrescences affected tissues
and thus helps in curing different diseases.


ADVANTAGES
RedTacton does not require the electrode to be in direct
contact with the skin.
Can transmit data at a rate higher than that of peer
technologies. (max. of 10Mbps)
RedTacton transceivers are programmable and we can
decide what to share with whom and what devices you
communicate with.
Each communication occurs in separate channels.
Transmission speed does not deteriorate even though the
number of users increases.
Data loss during transfer is less
Use of minimum amount of power (of some milli-volt
range)
Security is more.
No problem of hackers . It is very hard to pick up stray
electronic signals radiating from the body.
More secure than Bluetooth.
Superior than infrared technology & Wi-Fi.


COMPARISON WITH OTHER NETWORKS

Wireless communication creates connections when
signals arrive, allowing for easy connections because
connectors are unnecessary. However, seen from another
aspect, the arriving signals can be intercepted, so security
becomes an issue.
Wired communication transmits data between two
connection points, so interception is difficult and security
can be considered to be high. However, connectors and
cables are a nuisance.
RedTacton is situated directly between wireless and
wired communication. In other words, RedTacton allows
for easy connection without connectors, while at the
same time allowing transmission of data only between
two contact points. It thus has the feature of being
difficult to intercept.

The focus on ubiquitous service has brought about the
shortening of distances in communication. RedTacton is
positioned as the last 1m solution to ultimate close-range
communication






ADVANTAGE OVER BLUETOOTH

RedTacton claims to be able to send data over the human
skin surface at transfer speeds of up to 10Mbps, or better
than a broadband T1 connection.
Maximum speed offered by Bluetooth is 3Mbps.
According to Tom Zimmerman, inventor of the IBM
personal networking system, body-based networking is
more secure than broadcast systems, such as
Bluetooth, which have a range of about 10m.The issue is
that with Bluetooth, it is difficult to rein in the signal and
restrict it to the device you are trying to connect to. In a
busy place there could be hundreds of Bluetooth devices
within range. The signal can be tapped into and used by
others.

CHALLENGES
The obvious barrier to entry is that the cost and time to
develop HAN TECH. is very expensive.
As a new technology HAN need to gain popularity
among users to help pull the technology into the
marketplace instead of having it pushed upon them.

Widespread marketing campaigns will need to be
developed to highlight the benefits of HAN technology
to facilitate its adoption.
Not useful unless many people adopt it.
It can be useful within few centimeters only.

CONCLUSION
Many areas can benefit from this technology. Human society
is entering an era of ubiquitous computing, where everything
is networked. RedTacton is gearing up to compete with
Bluetooth, Zigbee, IrDA (infrared data association), UWB
(ultra wide band).
So we can clearly say that, this technology will spawn
revolutionary changes in the modern communications and
become a pivot technology. When we compare RedTacton
with other technologies, RedTacton will give a better
performance over other. If RedTacton is introduced into cyber
market it brings a marvelous & tremendous change and will
be adopted by many more people.
So, in few years from now everything is going to fall under
this super technology.



References :
[1] wik ip ed i a . (Feb ru a ry 2009 ) . R ed Ta c ton [On l
in e ] Available:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RedTacton
[2] NTT (February 2005). "RedTacton: An innovative Human
Area Networking
technology".[Online].Available:http://www.ntt.co.jp/news/ne
ws05e/0502/050218.html
[3] discuss.itacumens(June 2003). "Basic Overview of Human
Area NetworkingTechnology". [Online]
Available:http://discuss.itacumens.com/index.php?topic=1272
0
[4] Kotadia, B.; Vibhor, A.; "REDTACTON, Electronics &
Communication Department, Mandsaur Institute of
Technology. IEEE Report.
[Online].Available:http://www.scribd.com/doc/5007416/Redt
acton-IEEE-Report
[5] scribd (2010). "Human Area Networks-RedTacton".
[Online].Available:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/55240946/RED-TACTON-
REPORT