Design and implementation of a telemedicine system using Bluetooth protocol and GSM/GPRS network, for real time remote patient monitoring

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Jasemian, Yousef^{; *} | Nielsen, Lars Arendt

Affiliations: Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction (SMI), Department of Health Science & Technology, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7, Bld. D-3, DK-9220, Aalborg E., Denmark

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Yousef Jasemian, M. Sc.EE., Soendergade 58, 1.sal, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark. Tel.: +45 23 45 18 29; Fax: +45 98 15 40 08; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: This paper introduces the design and implementation of a generic wireless and Real-time Multi-purpose Health Care Telemedicine system applying Bluetooth protocol, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). The paper explores the factors that should be considered when evaluating different technologies for application in telemedicine system. The design and implementation of an embedded wireless communication platform utilising Bluetooth protocol is described, and the implementation problems and limitations are investigated. The system is tested and its telecommunication general aspects are verified. The results showed that the system has (97.9 ± 1.3)% Up-time, 2.5 × 10−5 Bit Error Rate, 1% Dropped Call Rate, 97.4% Call Success Rate, 5 second transmission delay in average, (3.42 ± 0.11) kbps throughput, and the system may have application in electrocardiography.

Keywords: telemedicine, Bluetooth, GSM, GPRS, data security, performance, reliability, safety, healthcare

DOI: 10.3233/THC-2005-13307

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 199-219, 2005