An improved routing technique for energy optimization and delay reduction for wireless body area networks

Abstract

Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) have become pivotal in revolutionizing healthcare by enabling continuous, real-time monitoring of patient s physiological parameters through wearable, and implantable medical devices. The global WBAN market is experiencing significant growth, with projections estimating a rise from approximately US$14.2 billion in 2023 to US$37.82 billion by 2032, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.5%. This surge is driven by the increasing adoption of smart wearable devices, advancements in medical technology, and a growing emphasis on remote patient monitoring and personalized healthcare solutions. The efficiency of WBANs largely depends on the effectiveness of routing protocols, which govern data transmission while ensuring minimal energy consumption, low latency, and high packet delivery ratio. Despite ongoing research efforts, the existing routing protocols often struggle to balance energy efficiency, network stability, latency, and real-time data reliability. The dynamic nature of human physiology, coupled with the stringent energy constraints of miniature sensor nodes, often leads to issues such as high latency, increased packet loss, and reduced network lifespan. These challenges underscore the necessity for innovative routing strategies that can adapt to fluctuating network conditions with optimization of energy consumption. newline