Optimal Resource Allocation in Point-to-Point Wireless Body Area Network with Backscatter Communication

In this paper, we study a point-to-point wireless body area network (WBAN) with the Backscatter Communication (Back-Com) mode and Harvest-Then-Transmit (HTT) mode, where the sensor first receives radio frequency signal, and then transmits data to the AP in different modes. In conventional WBAN with energy harvesting, the AP must accumulate energy before transmitting information. To improve the system performance, both HTT and Back-Com modes are employed in this system. We formulate a throughput maximization problem by optimizing not only the time allocation and reflection coefficient, but also the transmission power of the sensor. To solve the nonconvex problem, we consider a two-stage method, then obtain the optimal time allocation and reflection coefficient, which are proposed to manage energy harvesting and backscatter communication. Besides, the implanted body surface channels and the body surface to body surface channels are analyzed in this system. Analytical and simulation results show that, Back-Com mode can achieve a better system throughput performance than that of the HTT mode theoretically in WBAN.