A New Alternative to Bluetooth/RFID/NFC on the Horizon
German startup Ident Technology AG claims it has developed a new technology that will eventually replace short-range wireless communications platforms such as Bluetooth, RFID, and Near Field Communications via the use of human skin as a transmission medium. According to the company, Skinplex technology could be used between an identifier worn on the user's body and a receiver integrated into a distinct location or object, such as a car.
Skinplex technology uses certain electrical specifics inherent to human skin for the transmission. "Skin's resistance includes a real part and an imaginary part," stated Stefan Donat, Ident Technology AG's chief operating officer. "For our data transfer we use a frequency with which the imaginary part disappears." Skinplex transmissions operate at 195 kHz, which is one one of several of these kinds of license-free frequencies.
Devices can also be set so that they respond not only during direct contact, but also if they are simply in the vicinity — via a capacitive link. The maximum distance that could be bridged is about 50 centimeters, which is a clear "range advantage" over RFID and NFCIn operation, when the bearer of the identifier touches the receiver, the transmission is activated. A current of 30 nanoamperes flows across the bearer's skin — a process which Donat asserted is completely safe for the bearer. Despite the signal's low level, Donat stated that the security of the transmission using Skinplex technology is better than that of competing transmission processes. Prototypes have transmitted a 128-bit code at 9600 baud clearly identifying the bearer.
