1.

INTRODUCTION

At the end of 2002 the Japanese

telecommunications group NTT had
announced that it
would develop a new data
transmission technology that uses the
conductive properties of the human
body to exchange information between Fig.1: Red Tacton device
electronic devices. With RedTacton 2.WHAT IS RED TACTON
the company has now scarcely two
Human society is entering an era of
and a half years later presented its first
ubiquitous computing, when networks
prototype of a Human Area Network
are seamlessly interconnected and
(HAN).
information is always accessible at our
Japanese company Nippon Telegraph
fingertips. Red- Warmth, Touch,
and Telephone Corporation (NTT)
Acton-Action stands for Red Tacton.
claims to have developed the first
Instead of relying on electromagnetic
viable Human Area Network (HAN)
waves or light waves to carry data,
device, enabling fast data transfer
Red Tacton uses weak electric fields
between devices using the human
on the surface of the body as a
body as a conduit. NTT reckons this
transmission medium. Nippon
latest advance on the wireless
Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
Personal Area Network concept -
(NTT) is pursuing research and
dubbed RedTacton- can transmit data
development of an innovative Human
over the surface of the skin at up to
Area Networking technology called
2Mbps. Where it differs, though, from
Red Tacton that safely turns the
previous offerings, is that a
surface of the human body into a data
RedTacton-enabled device does not
transmission path at speeds up to 10
have to be in direct contact with the
Mbps between any two points on the
skin - only within about 20cm.
body.
Using a novel electro-optic sensor,
NTT has already developed a small
PCMCIA cardsized prototype Red Fig.2: red tacton device placed in a
Tacton transceiver. Red Tacton body
enables the first practical Human Area
Network between body-centered
electronic devices and PCs or other
network devices embedded in the
environment via a new generation of
user interface based on totally natural
human actions such as touching,
holding, sitting, walking, or stepping on
a particular spot.
Red Tacton can be used for intuitive
operation of computer-based systems
in daily life, temporary one-to-one
private networks based on personal
handshaking, device personalization,
Fig.3: how REDTACTON works
security, and a host of other
4.CONCEPTS ON REDTACTON
applications based on new behavior
patterns enabled by Red Tacton. NTT Red Tacton is a break-through
is committed to moving Red Tacton technology that, for the first time,
out of the laboratory and into enables reliable highspeed HAN. In
commercial production as quickly as the past, Bluetooth, infrared
possible by organizing joint field trials communications (IrDA), radio
with partners outside the company. frequency ID systems (RFID), and
3.HOW IT WORKS other technologies have been
proposed to solve the "last meter"
connectivity problem.
However, they each have various
fundamental technical limitations that
constrain their usage, such as the
precipitous fall-off in transmission
speed in multi-user environments
producing network congestion
 electric field on the surface of
1. Red Tacton uses the minute the body caused by the
transmitter.
electric field emitted on the
3. Red Tacton relies upon the
surface of the human body. principle that the optical
technically, it is completely properties of an electro-optic
crystal can vary according to
distinct from wireless and
the changes of a weak electric
infrared. field.
2. A transmission path is formed 4. Red Tacton detects changes in
the optical properties of an
at the moment when a part of
electro-optic crystal using a laser
the human body comes in and converts the result to an
contact with a Red Tacton electrical signal in an optical
receiver circuit.
transceiver. Physically
6.MECHANISM OF RED
separating ends the contact and TACTON
thus ends the communication.
Data is received using a photonic
3. Using Red Tacton,
electric field sensor that combines an
communication starts when
electro-optic crystal and a laser light to
terminals carried by the user or
detect fluctuations in the minute
embedded in devices are linked
electric field. The naturally occurring
in various combinations
electric field induced on the surface of
according to the user's natural,
the human body dissipates into the
physical movements.
earth. Therefore, this electric field is
4. Communication is possible
exceptionally faint and unstable. The
using any body surfaces, such
photonic electric field sensor
as the hands, fingers, arms,
developed by NTT enables weak
feet, face and legs. Red Tacton
electric fields to be measured by
works through shoes and
detecting changes in the optical
clothing as well.
properties of an electro-optic crystal
5.BASIC PRINCIPLE
with a laser beam.
The basic principles of RED TACTON
are
1. The Red Tacton transmitter
induces a weak electric field on
the surface of the body.
2. The Red Tacton receiver
senses changes in the weak
Fig.5:the various electric fields on
the surface of our body induced by
the
RED TACTON device. Only a portion
of the induced electric field is
sensed by the
receiving RED TACTON device. The
remaining electric fields are
dissipated to the
ground. Fig.6:Block diagram of Red
TACTON transceiver.
7.RED TACTON 8.FUNCTIONAL FEATURES
TRANSCEIVER
1. A communications path can be
Figure below shows the block diagram created with a simple touch,
of a RED TACTON transceiver. The automatically initiating the flow of data
signal from the interface is sent to the between a body-centric electronic
data sense circuit and the transmitter device and a computer that is
circuit. The data sense circuit senses embedded in the environment. For
the signal and if the data is present it example, two people equipped with
sends control signal to the transmitter Red Tacton devices could exchange
data just by shaking hands. A wide
which activates the transmitter circuit.
range of natural human actions
The transmitter circuit varies the
grasping, sitting down, walking, or
electric field on the surface of our
standing in a particular place can be
body. This change in the electric field
used to trigger Red Tacton to start a
is detected by the electro-optic sensor.
networked process.
The output of the electro-optic sensor
2. Using a Red Tacton electro-optic
is given to the detector circuit, which in
sensor, two-way communication is
turn given to the interface of the
supported between any two points on
receiving RED TACTON device.
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. Unlike wireless technologies, the In addition to the WANs (Internet) and

transmission speed does not eteriorate LANs, there are applications best

even in the presence of large crowds served by Human Area Networks

of people all communicating at the (HANs) that connect the last meter.

same time in meeting rooms, Human society is entering an era of

auditoriums or stores. Because the ubiquitous computing, where

body surface is the transmission path, everything is networked. By making

increasing the number of connected Human Area Networks feasible,

users directly increases the available RedTacton will enable ubiquitous

number of individual channels. services based on human-centered

interactions and therefore more

3. Red Tacton can utilize a wide range intimate and easier for people to use.

of materials as a transmission
FEATURES
medium, as long as the material is
conductive and dielectric, which 1. TOUCH
includes water and other liquids,
various metals, certain plastics, glass, Touching, gripping, sitting, walking,
etc. Using ordinary structures such as stepping and other human movements
tables and walls that are familiar and can be the triggers for unlocking or
readily available, one could easily locking, starting or stopping
construct a seamless communication equipment, or obtaining data. Using
environment at very low cost using RedTacton, communication starts
Red Tacton. (Note that constraints are when terminals carried by the user or
imposed by the length and embedded in devices are linked in
environment of the propagating various combinations through physical
conductor, and by the thickness of the contact according to the human's
dielectric). natural movements.
9.HUMAN AREA NETWORKS
2. BROADBAND &
INTERACTIVE

Duplex, interactive communication is

possible at a maximum speed of
10Mbps. Because the transmission 3. ANY MEDIA
path is on the surface of the body,
transmission speed does not In addition to the human body, various
conductors and dielectrics can be used
deteriorate in congested areas where
as transmission media. Conductors
many people are communicating at the and dielectrics may also be used in
combination.
same time. Taking advantage of this
speed, device drivers can be
DI ELETRICS
downloaded instantly and execute CONDUCTORS
(Signals pass through materials)
programs can be sent. (Signals travel along surface)

A communication environment can be

created easily and at low-cost by using
items close at hand, such as desks,
walls, and metal objects. But there is
one limitation on the length of the
Fig.7:Difference between wireless
conductor to be propagated, on
LAN and Redtacton.
installation locations, and on the
thickness of the dielectric to be passed
through.
10.WORKING PROCEDURE
1. Transmitter sends data.
2. Transmitting transceiver creates a
change in the field.
3. Field from human body dissipates
into earth.
4. Electric field is received using
sensing technology.
5. Receiving transceiver recognizes
the change in the electric field.
6. Sensing technology measures the
weak electric fields induced.
7. Electro-optical crystal uses laser to
convert and read the signal.
Fig.8: Device of the body
11.APPLICATIONS
1. 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 needs
of the user.
2. Intuitive operation of personal
information
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 electronic devices.
A simple handshake can transfer
data.
3. Device personalization
Setup, registration, and configuration
information for an individual user can
all be uploaded to a device the instant
the device is touched, eliminating the
need for the device to be registered or
configured in advance.
4. New behavior patterns access could be initiated and
authenticated with a simple touch. At the
Tables, walls, floors and chairs can all
same time, all the transaction details
act as conductors and dielectrics,
and relevant user attributes (personal
turning furniture and other architectural
identity, security clearance, etc.,) could
elements into a new class of
be logged by the security system.
transmission medium. For example, a
user could have instant access to the
The transmitting and receiving
Internet merely by placing a laptop
electrodes of the RedTacton
onto a conductive tabletop.
transceiver are completely covered
5. Marketing applications
with insulating film.

When a consumer stands in front of an

advertising panel, advertising and When communication occurs,
displacement current is generated by
information matching his or her
the electrons in the body because the
attributes is automatically displayed.
body is subjected to minute electrical
By touching or standing in front of
fields. However, such displacement
items they are interested in,
currents are very common everyday
consumers can get more in-depth
occurrences to which we are all
information.
subjected.

12.Intuitive Operations

A customer touching the

advertising panel and getting
information about that
advertisement through RED
TACTON device.
Touch printer to print
6. Security applications

Red Tacton could be installed on doors,

cabinets and other locations calling for
secure access, such that each secure
Instantaneous private network via personal between two contact points. It thus has
handshake
the feature of being difficult to
13.COMPARISON WITH intercept.
OTHER NETWORKS

The chart below shows the positioning

of Red Tacton with respect to existing
communication technologies. The
focus on ubiquitous service has
brought about the shortening of
distances in communication. Red
Tacton is positioned as the last 1m
solution to ultimate close-range
communication. Wireless
communication creates connections 14.COMPARISON WITH
when signals arrive, allowing for easy OTHER COMMUNICATION
connections because connectors are
METHODS
unnecessary. However, seen from
another aspect, the arriving signals
Intra-body communication" using the
can be intercepted, so security
human body as a transmission
becomes an issue.
medium has been reported, but the
electric field/photonics method
Wired communication transmits data
employed by RedTacton is superior to
between two connection points, so
conventional methods in terms of
interception is difficult and security can
communication distance, speed, and
be considered to be high. However,
interactivity.
connectors and cables are a nuisance.
P: Possible
Taking the above points in account,
N: Not possible
Red Tacton is situated directly
P*: Possible under certain conditions
between wireless and wired
communication. In other words, Red
15.ADVANTAGE OVER
Tacton allows for easy connection BLUETOOTH
without connectors, while at the same
The system envisioned by NTT,
time allowing transmission of data only
utilizes a conversion method which
takes digital data into a stream of low- in a busy place there could be
power digital pulses. These can be hundreds of Bluetooth devices within
easily transmitted and read back range. Moreover, body-based
through the human electric field. While networking seems to allow for more
it is true that similar personal area natural interchanges of information
networks are already accessible by between humans, as only when you
using radiobased technologies like Wi- are in true proximity you can make this
Fi or Bluetooth, this new wireless system work. There are some specific
technology claims to be able to send applications that would appear as
data over the human skin surface at being ideal matches for Red Tacton-
transfer speeds of up to 10Mbps, or like technologies.
better than a broadband T1 16.PROTOTYPE DEVICES
connection. Receiving data in such a
system is more complicated because
the strength of the pulses sent through
the electric field is so low. Red Tacton
solves this issue by utilizing a
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.
According to Tom Zimmerman,
inventor of the IBM personal
networking system, bodybased
networking is more secure than
Security devices whose
broadcast systems, such as Bluetooth,
development has been completed.
which have a range of about 10m.The
Transmission devices whose
issue is that with Bluetooth, it is difficult
development is in progress.
to rein in the signal and restrict it to the
device you are trying to connect to. But
17.DRAWBACKS problem faced by the Red Tacton
technology is the cost of development.
• It has no compelling applications that
This technology brings a new dimension
aren’t already available.
of communication which effectively links
• Too costly. the user to anyone he wants to
• It can be useful within few communicate. Since it provides high
centimeters speed communication, it can provide
18.FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS seamless service wherever, whenever
and whoever uses it.
RedTacton has a wide range of unique
20. REFERENCES
new functional features and enormous
[1] www.redtacton.com
potential as a Human Area Networking
[2]
technology. NTT is committed to
www.masternewmedia.org/2003/10/19
quickly identifying and opening up
/wireless_body_networkingat 10.htm
those application areas with the the
[3]
most commercial promise for
forum.itacumens.com/index.php?topic
RedTacton, a business development
=12720.0
process to be coordinated under NTT's
[4] en.wikipedia.org
Comprehensive Producer Function
[5]
program.
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/print/259
19.CONCLUSION
6
The need for artificial body implants to Digit Magzine
communicate with each other as well as
to report back to a portable device could
have quite some value. In fact,
according to other researchers, the most
important application for body-based
networking may well be for these type of
communications within, rather than on
the surface of, or outside, the body.
Red Tacton technology is expected to
dominate Bluetooth technology in the
future. Red Tacton technology could put
the use of cables to an end. The