Optimizing Low-Power Communication Protocols for External Pacemakers: Collision Prevention and Reliability in Multi-Patient Scenarios

Abstract:
This work addresses the development of a communication protocol for external pacemakers, focusing on optimizing data transmission in terms of power consumption and reliability. External pacemakers are commonly used by patients recovering from heart surgery, providing critical data such as alarm states for issues like electrode disconnections or low battery, as well as heart rate and stimulation history. Given that these pacemakers are battery-powered, minimizing power usage while ensuring successful data transmission is essential. The pacemaker transmits data during the refractory period, a short window after a heartbeat, without requiring acknowledgement from the base station. This creates challenges in preventing collisions when multiple patients transmit data simultaneously within the range of the same base station. The developed simulation model explores these scenarios, determining the maximum number of pacemakers that can communicate concurrently. The paper documents algorithms designed to tune the protocol’s frame length and structure, ensuring effective, low-power communication with minimal collision risks.