Overview

In human body communication (HBC) data is transmitted from one device to another via the user's body, with the devices communicating via wireless technology. As soon as the user simply touches the devices, they are connected to each other by means of touch and play (TAP) and information containing an electrical signal is transmitted via the body. Part 1 of this series of standards defines general requirements for an interface for communication via the human body (Human Body Communication - HBC) including general and function-related specifications for the interface. To ensure normal operation, however, further specifications are required for each interface type, because a signal to be processed by the interface has different characteristic values depending on the contact condition. For this reason, common specifications are required for each interface type so that compatible communication is possible between the different interface types. This Part 3 of DIN EN 62779 (VDE 0884) defines a type of semiconductor interface for communication via the human body. An HBC interface comprises an electrode, or a physical unit for transmitting a data signal to the human body or for receiving a transmitted data signal from the human body. In many cases, there is direct contact between the electrode and the human body, but the contact condition cannot be maintained if an object such as clothing is present between the interface and the body or if near-field communication is required; thus, depending on the contact condition, an HBC interface can be classified as a touch HBC interface or a non-contact HBC interface as shown in Figure 1. This section deals with the interface type, its operating states and the parameter characteristics. The responsible committee is DKE/K 631 "Halbleiterbauelemente" ("Semiconductor devices") of the DKE (German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies) at DIN and VDE.

Responsible national committee

DKE/K 631 - Halbleiterbauelemente