As electronic devices become smaller, lower in
power requirements, and less expensive, we have to adorn our bodies
with personal information and communication appliances. Such devices
include cellular phones personal digital assistants (PDAs) pocket video
games and pagers. Currently there is no method for these devices to
share data. Networking these devices can reduce functional I/O
redundancies and allow new services and conveniences.The
concept of Personal Area Networks (PANs) is presented to demonstrate
how electronic devices on and near the human body can exchange digital
information by capacitively coupling Pico ampere currents through the
body. Scientists at IBMâ„¢s Almaden Research Center perfected the
Personal Area Network technology that uses the natural electrical
conductivity of the human body to transmit electronic data. A low
frequency carrier (less than 1 megahertz) is used, so no energy is
propagated, minimizing remote eavesdropping and interference by
neighbouring Pans. A prototype PAN system allows users to exchange
electronic business cards by shaking hands..