This paper presents a web-based traffic flow performance meter. The NeTraWeb tool configures and automates the measurement activities, including storage and presentation of the main performance parameters.

This paper presents a monitoring method and its implementation as a light-weight end-to-end performance meter for quality-demanding applications in wireless body sensor networks. The method is evaluated in a wireless sensor network testbed for healthcare applications.

This paper presents a method for performance monitoring and control in wireless body sensor networks based on measurement feedback. Test results using a prototype implementation of the method are also analyzed. The method has been evaluated for demanding healthcare related applications in wireless personal area networks.

Wireless sensor networks have today emerged as a feasible infrastructure for healthcare applications. This paper addresses the non-trivial performance problems in contention-based wireless networks. We present a method for admission control in contention-based networks, implemented as a component of a performance management system. The test results show that admission control can improve the predictability and level of performance in wireless sensor networks. The system can be used as a tool for dimensioning and configuration as well as for real-time admission control. The often unpredictable dynamics in contention-based access networks means that continuous performance control is needed to maintain a desired quality of service.

This paper presents a method to synchronize the clocks in a Bluetooth piconet from the application layer in a mobile phone. It adapts algorithms for time synchronization of distributed systems and the Internet to Bluetooth networks. The performance issues that cause problems for data synchronization between master and slaves in Bluetooth are highlighted. The tests show that the synchronization error is limited to one sampling time.

Efficient algorithms for time synchronization, including compensation for clock drift, are essential in order to obtain reliable fusion of data samples from multiple wireless sensor nodes. This paper evaluates the performance of algorithms based on three different approaches; one that synchronizes the local clocks on the sensor nodes, and a second that uses a single clock on the receiving node (e.g. a mobile phone), and a third that uses broadcast messages. The performances of the synchronization algorithms are evaluated in wireless personal area networks, especially Bluetooth piconets and ZigBee/IEEE 802.15.4 networks. A new approach for compensation of clock drift and a realtime implementation of single node synchronization from the mobile phone are presented and tested. Finally, applications of data fusion and time synchronization are shown in two different use cases; a kayaking sports case, and monitoring of heart and respiration of prematurely born infants. 

This journal paper presents a measurement-basedperformance management system for contention-based wireless sensor networks. Its main features are admission andperformance control based on measurement data from lightweight performance meters in the endpoints. Test results showthat admission and performance control improve the predictability and level of performance. The system can also be used asa tool for dimensioning and configuration of services in wireless sensor networks. Among the rapidly emerging services inwireless sensor networks we focus on healthcare applications

Wireless personal area networks have emerged as an important communication infrastructure in areas such as at-home healthcare and home automation, independent living and assistive technology. Initiatives towards interoperability and standardization are taken by several players. Zigbee Alliance has launched a profile for “Zigbee wireless sensor applications for health, wellness and fitness” [1]. The Continua Health Alliance promotes “an interoperable personal healthcare ecosystem”. They have published “design guidelines for the telehealth ecosystem” including the interface to personal area network health devices and electronic health record devices ([2], [3]). These examples show that wireless personal area networks, including body sensor networks, are becoming more mature and are considered to be a realistic alternative as communication infrastructure for demanding services. However, to transmit vital sign parameters from ECGs, pulse-oximeters, EEGs etc in wireless networks is also a challenge, especially if multiple sensors compete for access. Contention-based access networks offer simplicity and utilization advantages, but the drawback is unpredictable performance due to loss of transmitted packets.

We have used the SHIMMER wireless sensor platform developed at Intel [4] in the living lab at the Centre for Health and Building at KTH in a case study to identify and evaluate performance problems. The full-scale living lab consists of two apartments especially equipped with modern technique for healthcare at home and assisted living.

Our paper focuses on continuous monitoring of the heart activity using a wireless ECG based on the wireless personal area network (WPAN) standard IEEE 802.15.4. Results from performance tests in the living lab will be presented e.g. influence of equipment such as micro wave ovens. Since contention-based wireless access has no guarantees for the quality of the delivered service it is interesting to determine to what extent the received ECG signal is sensitive to loss of information. We have recorded ECG signals as well as emulated packet loss in existing ECG records from official databases. The result of two cardiologists´ assessment of ECGs with different loss ratio levels and patterns will be reported in the paper. One interesting conclusion is that a diagnosis is fully possible for ECGs with packet loss ratio up to at least 5%. This project is part of research at the School of Technology and Health at KTH.