Human area network technology:

Red Tacton
PRARTHANA WAHI BABITA PAWAR
CSE (4TH SEMESTER) CSE (4TH SEMESTER)
ACE and AR ACE and AR
AMBALA AMBALA
Pwahi89@gmail.com bpawar91@gmail.com
Wahiprarthana89@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: Because the transmission path is on the

surface of the transmission speed does not
Does the idea of using your body as a data
deteriorate in congested areas where many
transmission appeal to u? Then this paper will
people are communicating at the same time.
surely grab your attention. Technology is
Red Tacton surpasses other human area
making many things easier; we can say that
networks in terms of communication,
this concept is standing example for that.
performance and user convenience.
“RED TACTON” makes the human body as
Many areas can benefit from this technology.
a communication network by name HAN
Initially, Red Tacton could target security, the
(Human Area Network). Focusing on the
medical field, and the device communication
naturalness, inevitability and sense of security
field. Red Tacton can be used for intuitive
conveyed by touching which we call Red
operation of computer-based systems in daily
Tacton [Red-Warmth ,T-Touch ,Acton-
life, temporary one-to-one private networks
Action] could let people transfer data to each
based on personal handshaking, device
others handhelds by means of handshake or a
personalization, security, and a host of other
slap on the back.
applications based on new behavior patterns
A communication environment can be created
enabled by Red Tacton. By making Human
easily and at low-cost by using items close at
Area Networks feasible, Red Tacton will
hand, such as desks, walls, and metal objects.
enable ubiquitous services based on human-
Red Tacton uses the electric field that occurs
centered interactions and therefore more
naturally on the surface of human body for
intimate and easier for people to use.
communication The Red Tacton chips, which
will be embedded in various devices, contain a
transmitter and receiver built to send and
accept data stored in a digital format
INTRODUCTION: Networking technology uses the surface of the

Don't have a LAN connection, use your human body as a safe, high speed network

body………… transmission path. Red Tacton takes a

Forget LAN or Bluetooth here's a way to turn different technical approach.

you into a walking talking file transfer

machine. BACKGROUND:
Human society is entering an era of ever- At the end of 2002 the Japanese
present computing, when networks are telecommunications group NTT had
seamlessly interconnected and information is announced that it would develop a new data
always accessible at our fingertips. The transmission technology that uses the
practical implementation of ubiquitous conductive properties of the human body to
services requires three levels of connectivity: exchange information between electronic
• Wide Area Networks (WAN), devices. Hence Nippon Telegraph and
typically via the Internet, to remotely Telephone Corporation (NTT) developed
connect all types of severs and technology that uses the human body as a
terminals; high-speed network. And called it “RED
• Local Area Networks (LAN), TACTON” What’s more, it also forms a
typically via Ethernet or WiFi communications link between people and
connectivity among all the information electronic devices
and communication appliances in NTT's RedTacton is a break-through
offices and homes; and technology that, for the first time, enables

• Human Area Networks reliable high-speed HAN. In the past,

(HAN) for connectivity to personal Bluetooth, infrared communications (IrDA),

information, media and radio frequency ID systems (RFID), and other

communication appliances within the technologies have been proposed to solve the

much smaller sphere of ordinary daily "last meter" connectivity problem. However,

activities-- the last one meter. they each have various fundamental technical

Human area network is basically an limitations that constrain their usage, such as

interconnection of information technology the precipitous fall-off in transmission speed

devices within the range of an individual. This in multi-user environments producing network

technology creates an external electric field congestion. This is the first viable Human

that passes an incredibly small current Area Network (HAN) device, enabling fast

which is general of about one thousandth of data transfer between devices using the human

an ampere. Red Tacton, a new Human Area body as a conduit.

 face, legs or torso. Red Tacton works through
What is RED TACTON? shoes and clothing as well.

RedTacton is a new Human Area Networking

technology that uses the surface of the human
body as a safe, high speed network
transmission path. RedTacton takes a different
technical approach. Instead of relying on
electromagnetic waves or light waves to carry
data, RedTacton uses weak electric fields on
the surface of the body as a transmission
medium. A RedTacton transmitter couples
with extremely weak electric fields 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 extent to which the optical PRINCIPLE WORKING OF RED
properties are changed is detected by laser TACTON:
light which is then converted to an electrical
signal by a detector circuit. –Red Tacton uses Red Tacton utilizes a point to point network,
the minute electric field emitted on the surface known as a piconet. The P2P network allows
of the human body. Technically, it is information to be exchanged between two
completely distinct from wireless and infrared. transceivers without the need for a server to
A transmission path is formed at the moment a store or process information.
part of the human body comes in contact with
Red Tacton operates on the idea that optical
a Red Tacton transceiver. Physically
properties of an electro optic crystal can vary
separating ends the contact and thus ends
according to the changes of a person own
communication. Using Red Tacton,
electric field. After contact with another Red
communication starts when terminals carried
Tacton enabled device, the transmitter one
by the user or embedded in devices are linked
wears induces an electric field on the body.
in various combinations according to the
Next, the transceiver on the device detects
user's natural, physical movements.
changes in the wearer’s electric field which
Communication is possible using any body
was caused by the device. The devices then
surfaces, such as the hands, fingers, arms, feet,
communicate and send data by inducing
fluctuations in the electric field 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.
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.
The three major functional features of Red
Tacton are highlighted below.
• A communications path can be
created with a simple touch,
automatically initiating the flow of
data between a body-centric electronic
device and a computer that
embedded in the environment. For
example, two people equipped with
Red Tacton devices could exchange
The transmitter sends data based on
fluctuations in the weak electric field induced
in the body. The electric field is received
using super-sensitive electric field sensing
technology. 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 super-sensitive electric field
sensing technology measures the weak electric
fields induced by the super-efficient
alternating electric field induction.
Ea: ELECTRIC FIELD induced towards the body
Eb: ELECTRIC FIELD Induced from body
Ec: ELECTRIC FIELD escaping from body to
ground
Es: ELECTRIC FIELD that reaches receiver i.e.
ES=EA-(EB+EC)
data just by shaking hands. A wide
range of natural human actions --
grasping, sitting down, walking, or
standing in a particular place -- can be
used to trigger Red Tacton to start a
networked process.
• Using a Red Tacton electro-
is optic sensor, two-way communication
is supported between any two points
on the body at a throughput of up to 10
Mbps. Communication is not just
 confined to the surface of the body, but
can travel through the user's clothing
to a Red Tacton device in a pocket or
through shoes to communicate with a
Red Tacton device embedded in the
floor. The transmission speed does not
deteriorate even in the presence of
large crowds of people
communicating at the same time in
meeting rooms, auditoriums
Because the body surface is the
transmission path, increasing
number of connected users directly
increases the available number of
individual communication channels.
• Red Tacton can utilize a wide
range of materials as a transmission
medium, as long as the material is
conductive and dielectric,
includes water and other liquids,
various metals, certain plastics, glass,
etc. Using ordinary structures such as
tables and walls that are familiar and
readily available, one could easily
construct a seamless communication
environment at very low cost using
Red Tacton
BLOCK DIAGRAM OF
TACTON TRANCIEVER:
all
etc.
The transceivers use an optical sensor to
the interpret fluctuations in the electric field of the
human body through the use of a miniature
laser and a crystal mounted in the transceiver.
The weak electric fields that exist around
many kinds of objects - including metals,
many plastics, glass, ceramics and liquids -
make communication between transceivers
which possible. The system is able to work through
socks, shoes and gloves, and on both dry and
oily skin. A person equipped with a sensor can
exchange data with another person carrying a
sensor by shaking hands, and between a
person and a device by touching it, walking on
it, or by sitting on it.
Receiving data is more complicated because
the strength of the electric field involved is so
low. Red Tacton gets around this using a
RED
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 .Using a new super-sensitive
photonic electric field sensor, Red Tacton can 3 FEATURES:
achieve duplex communication over the
human body at a maximum speed of 10 Mbps.
The transceivers, which require a PCMCIA
card to connect with an electronic device, use
several hundred mili watts of power and are
insulated to avoid electric shocks.

ADVANTAGES OF USING RED

TACTON TRANCIEVER:
• Uses the body’s electrical field
to transmit at a high speed.
• System can provide
authentication and record who
touched the device, and when
• Digital lifestyle can be
instantly personalized with just
a touch.
• Cable connections are
eliminated the body itself is
used as transmission medium.
• Transmission speed is high up
to 10 mbps.
• Safe to use to transfer private
information
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.
BROADBAND AND INTERACTIVE:
Duplex, interactive communication is possible
at a maximum speed of 10Mbps*. Bandwidth
doesn’t deteriorate even if many users access
simultaneously. 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. Maximum communication speed
may be slower than 10Mbps depending on the
usage environment.
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.
HUMAN SAFETY:
NTT has investigated the effects of RED
TACTON technology on human health, which
is obviously an important issue and it has been
proved safe to use as:
• The transmitting and receiving
ends of the red tacton devices are
completely insulated, so body of the
person using the device is completely
insulated without effecting the body
during transmitting the signal.
• When communication occurs
displacement current is generated by
electrons that are present everywhere
in human body.
• Body is subjected to minute
The current is generated by the electrons in
the body because the body is subjected to
minute electrical fields. However, such
displacement currents are very common
everyday occurrences to which we are all
subjected RED TACTON conforms to the
“Radio Frequency-Exposure Protection
Standard (RCR STD-38)” [6] issued by the
Association of Radio Industries and
Business (ARIB). The levels produced by
RED TACTON are well below the safety limit
specified by this standard.
electric fields so such displacement
currents are common everyday
occurrences.The current used is one-
billionth of an amp (one nanoamp),
which is lower than the natural
currents already in the
When communication occurs, displacement
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:
- One-to-One services
With the ability to send attribute data from
personal information devices worn on the
body to computers embedded in the
environment, one-to-one services could be
implemented that are tailored to the
individual
- Intuitive operation of personal
information devices
Communication is triggered by totally natural
human actions and behavior, so there is no
need to insert smart cards, connect cables,
tune frequencies, or any of the other
inconveniences usually associated with today's
needs of the user.
- Device personalization
Setup, registration, and configuration
information for an individual user can all
uploaded to a device the instant the device is
touched, eliminating the need for the device to New behavior patterns
be registered or configured in
advance.Example: By shaking hands, personal
profile data can be exchanged between mobile
terminals on the users.
Tables, walls, floors and chairs can all act as which have a range of about 10m. With
conductors and dielectrics, turning furniture Bluetooth and IrDA, it is difficult to rein
and other architectural elements into a new in the signal and restrict it to the device
class of transmission medium. For example: you are trying to connect to. You usually
ectronic devices want to communicate with one particular
- Security applications thing, but in a busy place there could be
RedTacton could be installed on doors, hundreds of Bluetooth devices within range.
cabinets and other locations calling for As human beings are ineffective aerials, it is
secure access, such that each secure access very hard to pick up stray electronic
could be initiated and authenticated with a signals radiating from the body. This is
simple touch. At the same time, all the good for security because even if you
transaction details and relevant user encrypt data it is still possible that it could
attributes could be logged by the security be decoded, but if you can’t pick it up it
system. can’t be.
Moreover, when we compare red tacton with
wireless LAN we find red tacton to
transfer data at a much faster speed than
WHY RED TACTON?
the LAN because the transmission path is on
Several “human body communication”
the surface of the body, transmission speed
technologies using the human body as a
does not deteriorate in congested areas where
transmission medium have been reported in
many people are communicating at the same
the past. But RedTacton employs a
time
proprietary electric field/photonics method
which uses a sensor which measures faint
electric fields by using a laser beam to detect
fluctuations in the optical properties of an
electro-optic crystal that are caused by
peripheral electric fields.
Human body networking is more secure
than broadcast systems, such as Bluetooth,
 directly between wireless and wired
communication. In other words, Red
Tacton 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.

Enlisting Partners for

Collaborative Field Trials
NTT hopes to conduct joint field trials in
cooperation with outside companies and
organizations to explore potential
applications, verify RedTacton reliability,
fine-tune the system, and gather business
and market data.

Red Tacton equipment: NTT will lend

partners Red Tacton transceiver prototypes.
The focus on ever-present service has
Maintenance fees incurred during the field
brought about the shortening of distances in
testing will be borne by the partners.
communication. Red Tacton is positioned as
the last 1m solution to ultimate close-range Trial environment: Partners will prepare the

communication. Wireless communication staffing, equipment, and venues needed to

creates connections when signals arrive, operate the field trials.

allowing for easy connections because Partner selection: Trial partners will be
connectors are unnecessary. However, seen selected at the sole discretion of NTT.
from another aspect, the arriving signals can
be intercepted, so security becomes an issue. Why aren't we using it? What are
the obstacles?
Wired communication transmits data
between two connection points, so • Introduction of new
interception is difficult and security can be technologies into existing devices
considered to be high. However, connectors often requires significant design
and cables are a nuisance. Taking the above changes that can be costly and time
points in account, Red Tacton is situated consuming.
 • Red Tacton also needs a lot Wide Band), and other wireless
of research and development. communication forms. These competing
technologies are different in that they use
• Many popular technologies
radio frequency or light to transmit data
exist in the marketplace which
short distances. They also tend to work at
provides similar functions to Red
slower speeds that Red Tacton which, as
Tacton technology. The first is
mentioned before, uses the body’s electrical
Bluetooth. Bluetooth is also a short
field to transmit at a high speed.
range frequency allowing users to
Additionally, since Red Tacton requires
transmit data within approximately a
touch and has a low potential for
10M range. Bluetooth, however, is
interference, it is much more secure than the
insecure. The signal can be tapped
competition.
into and used by others. As
Many areas can benefit from this
mentioned previously, Zigbee,
technology. Initially, Red Tacton could
IrDA, and UWB are also potential
target security, the medical field, and the
competitors.
device communication field. Red Tacton can
• The most obvious barrier to
be used for intuitive operation of computer-
entry is that the cost and time to
based systems in daily life, temporary one-
develop Personal Area network
to-one private networks based on personal
technology is very expensive
handshaking, device personalization,
• This technology will not security, and a host of other applications
likely be very useful until a large based on new behavior patterns enabled by
number of people and devices have Red Tacton. By making Human Area
adopted it which means a significant Networks feasible, Red Tacton will enable
time investment. ubiquitous services based on human-
centered interactions and therefore more

CONCLUSION: intimate and easier for people to use.

Human society is entering an era of

ubiquitous computing, where everything is
networked. RED TACTON is an exciting
new technology for human area networking.
Currently, Red Tacton is gearing up to
compete with Bluetooth, Zigbee, IrDA
(Infrared Data Association), UWB (Ultra
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http://www.redtacton.com/en/index.html
http://www.ntt.co.jp/news/news05e/0502/05
0218.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RedTacton
 http://www.ntt.co.jp/RD/OFIS/active/2005p
dfe/pdf/h_ct02_e.pdf
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archi
ves/2005/03/20/2003247076
http://www.physorg.com/news3153.html
http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Redtacton
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