Amplitude Modulation in a Molecular Communication Testbed with Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and a Micropump

Abstract

Molecular communication uses molecules or other nanoscale particles to transmit data in scenarios where conventional communication techniques are not feasible. In previous work a testbed using superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as information carriers in a fluid transmission channel with constant background flow was proposed. The SPIONs are detected at a receiver as change of a coils inductance. We now improve the testbed by using a piezoelectric micropump as transmitter, making amplitude modulation (AM) with di?erent injection volumes possible. Machine learning is employed at the receiver to di?erentiate between six di?erent amplitude levels and grey code is used to reduce bit errors. With AM and the designed coding scheme, the achievable e?ective data rate was doubled to 4.45 bit/s.

The Development of a Biocompatible Testbed for Molecular Communication with Magnetic Nanoparticles

“…We encourage the use of the presented testbed concept for further research. Transmission efficiency (bit/mL) Achievable data rate (bit/s) 1 Original setup [9], [10] 2 Resonance bridge [35] 3 Susceptometer [36] 4 Resonance Bridge [36] 5 Inductance sensor [36] 6 Inductance sensor and CSK [37] 7 Detection with CNN [39] 8 Setup with all improvements 0 Uses peristaltic pump 0 Uses micropump Fig. 9: Overview of possible data rates and average transmission efficiencies shown throughout the evolution of the testbed components.…”

“…After demonstrating the feasibility of the transmitter setup [9], [35], micropumps were employed as a compact transmitter alternative [37]. We used piezoelectric micropumps, manufactured by Fraunhofer EMFT in Munich.…”

Capacitive Sensing for Magnetic Nanoparticles in Molecular Communication

“…Information encoding is achieved through pulsed injections of magnetic nanoparticles (specifically superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles) using a micropump with a piezoelectric actuator. The output volume of the micropump can be controlled by a variation of the voltage applied to the piezoelectric actuator and thus changing the effective pump chamber size (see [5] for further details). An injected burst of particles is carried by the background flow to the receiver at a distance of 5 cm from the point of injection.…”

“…Yet, a capacitive approach in the context of a Molecular Communication paradigm or for the detection of magnetic nanoparticles has not been investigated so far. In this work we will introduce a novel sensor for magnetic nanoparticles based on capacitive sensing in the context of a previously published testbed [5].…”

Experimental System for Molecular Communication in Pipe Flow With Magnetic Nanoparticles

“…However, an experimental MC system with magnetic nanoparticles as information carriers has only been presented in the conference version of this work [1]. Furthermore, for this testbed, the design and characterization of receiver [34]- [36] and transmitter devices [37], [38] has also been investigated.…”