The BodyCom system is a new short-range wireless connectivity technology that uses the capability of the human body to transport a few signals that provide intuitive, simple, and safe communication between two electronically compatible devices. Communication between BodyCom system devices occurs when they are within a few centimeters of the human body: a simple proximity or touch detection can establish a BodyCom system connection.
In this 26 page Microchip app note, Cristian Pop explains the details behind this fascinating emerging technology, which uses Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) on frequencies between 60 kHz and 30 MHz employing the user’s body as the medium for data transmissions. Full schematics are provided in the Appendices.
Reference is made to a “BodyCom Evaluation Board”, however we could find no such product on the Microchip site. Possibly they are referring to the mTouch Evaluation Kit.
Really interesting. I’ll study it.
Thanks for reference
Too bad this could never ever be used on an airplane.
Hm. Is this what’s used on some cars where the doors unlock when you touch the door handle with the keys in your pocket?
pretty sure that’s just normal RF and a capacitive button
I recall IBM demoed stuff like this some 2+ decades ago, before most people would even grasp the concept of a mutant wrist-watch (evolving into a smartphone or PDA) exchanging virtual business cards with the people you shake hands with (or even make First Contact with the E.T. way, albeit hopefully without a spark).
There’s even an acronym to it, PAN, alluding neither to kitchenware nor to Lovecraft but meaning just http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_area_network (AKA piconet these days) :D
Electronic circuits worn like skin (its a tattoo)
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2011/08/11/Electronic-circuits-worn-like-skin/UPI-31641313112898/