IEEE 802.15.6

The IEEE classifies Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs) as networks that operate in the vicinity of a person and a subset of these networks are Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) which operate in and around the human body.

The 802.15.6 working group was formed in November 2007 to draft a standard for Body Area Network with the scope of “short range, wireless communication in the vicinity of, or inside, a human body (but not limited to humans). It can use existing ISM bands as well as frequency bands approved by national medical and/or regulatory authorities. Support for Quality of Service (QoS), extremely low power, and data rates up to 10 Mbps is required while simultaneously complying with strict non-interference guidelines where needed. This standard considers effects on portable antennas due to the presence of a person (varying with male, female, skinny, heavy, etc.), radiation pattern shaping to minimize SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) into the body, and changes in characteristics as a result of the user motions”