Researchers at the University of Washington (UW) have introduced a technology which will enable devices such as brain implants, contact lenses and other electronic wearable devices to communicate with regular devices such as smartphones and watches.
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The interscatter communication transforms Bluetooth signals into Wi-Fi transmissions over the air.
An interscatter device such as a smart contact lens converts Bluetooth signals emitted from the regular devices such as a smartwatch, into Wi-Fi transmissions which can be detected by a smartphone.
The interscatter communication uses the Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or ZigBee radios installed in common mobile devices which enable it to act as both the source and receiver for these reflected signals.
UW electrical engineering doctoral student Vikram Iyer said: “Wireless connectivity for implanted devices can transform how we manage chronic diseases.
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By GlobalData“For example, a contact lens could monitor a diabetics blood sugar level in tears and send notifications to the phone when the blood sugar level goes down.”
The process uses a communication technique called backscatter, which enables the device to transmit information by reflecting existing signals.
The new system does not require additional equipment but relies on the Wi-Fi signals emitted by commonly used mobile devices which use lesser energy than the conventional devices.
UW computer science and engineering assistant professor Shyam Gollakota said: “Bluetooth devices randomise data transmissions using a process called scrambling.
“We figured out a way to reverse engineer this scrambling process to send out a single tone signal from Bluetooth-enabled devices such as smartphones and watches using a software app.”
During a demonstration, a smartwatch relayed a Bluetooth signal to a smart contact lens fitted with an antenna.
Image: A smartphone and contact lens. Photo: courtesy of Mark Stone / University of Washington.
