Hybrid Wireless Body Area Networks (HyWBANs): A Framework for In-Body Communications

Hybrid Wireless Body Area Networks (HyWBANs) hold significant promise for advancing in-body communication systems in healthcare. In this work, we propose a novel dual-modality framework that integrates Ultra Wideband (UWB) radio communications with Near-Infrared (NIR) optical wireless communication to enhance the performance of Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs). UWB provides reliable deep-tissue connectivity, while NIR offers a low-power solution for shallow-layer data exchange under Line-of-Sight (LOS) conditions. We present extensive measurement campaigns using biological tissues and synthetic phantoms to characterize the performance of each modality independently, thereby establishing a comprehensive baseline for future integration. Our experimental results, which we have validated by using a propagation model, aim to provide the academic community with accurate data on which to build hybrid systems with increased communication reliability and adaptability under controlled conditions. Moreover, we discuss potential applications and outline decision criteria for dynamic mode selection based on real-time service requirements and environmental factors. This study lays the baseline for future research to develop a unified hybrid system that can adaptively optimize performance to meet the evolving demands of innovative healthcare.