Wireless Data Transfer for Implanted Real-Time Peripheral Nerve Interfaces

Rapid technological advancements have opened up exciting possibilities for incorporating electronic devices in medical applications, providing solutions to problems and diseases that were previously challenging to address using traditional treatments. This paper presents an optimization of the wireless communication between microcontrollers in the context of a biomedical application. Specifically, the research explores the utilization of Nordic Semiconductor© microcontrollers to establish reliable and efficient communication in real-time between an implanted device and an external unit, leveraging Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5 protocol. To achieve a fast data transmission, careful consideration was given to selecting the optimal parameters for the BLE stack. Two distinct sets of tests were conducted to evaluate the wireless communication performance. Initially, offline tests were carried out, involving the transmission of a small amount of data. This allowed for assessing the coherence and reliability of the received data at close proximity. Subsequently, continuous streaming tests were performed to simulate real-time data transmission scenarios. Furthermore, the analysis encompassed an assessment of the implications arising from varying the distance between the two devices and the influence of biological tissues incorporated within the wireless communication system. These conditions were crucial in assessing the system’s robustness and ability to overcome potential obstacles in a medical environment.