An alternative method of biomedical signal transmission through the GSM voice channel

Abstract

In this work, a new solution for online and accurate biomedical data transmission is presented. For thispurpose, a global system for mobile (GSM) communication voice channel is, for the first time, used as a communicationlink between the patient and healthcare provider. Biomedical signals are converted into speech-like signals before beingtransferred over a GSM voice channel. On the receiver side, speech-like symbols are stored in a symbols bank, andconstructed using random stochastic signals. On the receiver end, the index of the symbol with the most similarity tothe received signal is selected as the identified sample. This method enables us to communicate with an accuracy of 99.8%at a transfer rate of 110 samples per second and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 10. By utilizing a GSM voice channel,any voice channel, such as a cell phone, can be used for data transmission. The transmitted signal is encoded; therefore,the connection is secured. GSM technology has benefits such as availability, reliability, and robustness. Additionally,GSM can be used as a backup or service for transmitting vital physiological signals in emergency situations (e.g. in anambulance). This technology can also be used to transmit other physiological signals as well as nonphysiological genericdata.