Hiroto Itai

Surface Sensor Network Using Inductive Signal Transmission Layer

In this paper, we report the latest results of our two-dimensional communication project. In the system we show here, the sensor node that touches the surface of a two-dimensional signal transmission sheet (2DST sheet) establishes the connection. The system allows free location of the sensor node, and proximity (non-contact) connection is realized stably. The structure of 2DST sheet is simple and realized with various materials at low cost. Since the sensor nodes communicate with electromagnetic waves confined in two-dimensional medium, they are free from the interference from the nodes apart from the sheet. Powering with microwave through the sheet is also possible.

Proximity Connection in Two-Dimensional Signal Transmission

This paper presents a new structure of two-dimensional signal transmission (2DST). In a 2DST system, communication nodes communicate with each other by using electromagnetic wave localized in a thin sheet (a 2DST sheet). Its also possible to supply energy to the nodes using electromagnetic wave. In this paper, we propose a basic technology of a sensor network in which sensor nodes obtain an efficient proximity connection to any positions on the 2DST sheet without electrical contacts. The sheet is composed of a conductive mesh layer, a dielectric layer, and a continuous conductive layer. The sensor nodes communicate by the evanescent waves produced around the mesh layer. We fabricated a prototype of the 2DST system. Experiments showed that communication bandwidth is at least 500 MHz. Besides, about 10 % of input energy can be transmitted through a 180-mm-by-180-mm 2DST sheet with a proximity connector

Two-dimensional communication technology inspired by robot skin

A two-dimensional communication device proposed in a recent paper is a device in which signals travel freely between arbitrary points in flexible two-dimensional space using two-dimensionally-spread electromagnetic field. The new form of communication solves the wiring problems in various situations. It also has advantages over wireless communication. It consumes less energy for signal transmission, it can provide energy for the connected elements, and the communication capacity is larger because multiple 1D signal chains transmit signals simultaneously. In this paper, we demonstrate examples of high-speed signal transmission through flexible 2D layers with proximity interfaces.

Two-dimensional communication

We have proposed an innovative communication device, the Two– Dimensional Communication sheet (2DC sheet). The nodes touching to the 2DC sheet can communicate with each other with 54 Mbps of bandwidth and can acquire 10 W of electricity. The 2DC sheet requires no direct electrical contact between the nodes and the sheet. Therefore nodes can be moved freely on the sheet. Wireless and batteryless ubiquitous infrastructure is possible through these features of the Two–Dimensional Communication sheet.

Two-Dimensional Wireless Power Supply to Ubiquitous Robots Using Microwaves

This paper proposes a wireless power supply method to ubiquitous small robots using microwaves propagated in a two-dimensional waveguide (2DW). A robot working anywhere on a 2DW sheet receives the power from the sheet. The communication signal is also transmitted through the identical sheet. The structure of 2DW sheet is simple and realized with various materials at low cost. Since the microwave power is confined inside the 2DW sheet, it enables safe power transmission and communication without strong interference with the space outside the sheet.