IEEE 802.16/WiMAX Technology for Telemedicine Applications

ABSTRACT

Telemedicine services have typically been provided via use of wired networks and broadband access systems dependent on cable modems or DSLs for transfer of biomedical information among hospitals and points of care. These fixed systems, however, have inadequacies in service delivery to remote and mobile patients. But thanks to the popularity of emergent m-health applications in medical specialties, prompt and effectual patient care has become a reality. Plus, with evolving wireless technologies, patient access to health care is possible not only from hospitals; the access is also possible from rural homes and clinics. In this report, IEEE 802.16-based broadband wireless access is seen as a promising technology as regards provision of high data transfer-requiring wireless access and stringent QoS obligations (e.g. for usages in telemedicine) in indoor and outdoor settings. Furthermore, the advantage of combined Wi-Fi (802.11) and WiMAX networks in broadband wireless access makes integrated networks the obvious and viable alternative for applications in telemedicine. This, as seen in the report, is because an 802.11/802.16 hybrid network can generate a synergetic enhancement to telemedicine provisions on rates of data transfer, QoS provisioning and coverage to mobile end-users. Basically, this report explains the suitability of IEEE 802.16 criterion-based networks in telemedicine from certain perspectives.

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