Machine Learning for Adaptive Modulation in Medical Body Sensor Networks Using Visible Light Communication

In the context of medical body sensor networks that rely on visible light communication (VLC), adaptive modulation plays a crucial role. Despite VLC’s advantages, challenges arise due to fluctuating signal strength caused by patient movement. To address this, we propose an adaptive modulation system that adjusts based on link conditions, specifically the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Our approach involves an uplink channel for feedback, allowing the receiver to select the appropriate modulation scheme based on measured SNR after noise mitigation. The analysis focuses on various medical situations and investigates machine learning algorithms. The study compares adaptive modulation based on supervised learning with that based on reinforcement learning. By implementing a bi-directional system with real-time modulation tracking, we demonstrate the effectiveness of adaptive VLC in handling environmental changes (interference and noise). Notably, the use of the Q-learning algorithm enables real-time adaptation without prior knowledge of the environment. Our simulation results show that photodetectors placed on the shoulder and wrist benefit significantly from this approach, experiencing improved performance.