The challenges of wearable computing: Part 2

T. Starner
2001 IEEE Micro  
The most immediately striking challenge in designing wearable computers is creating appropriate interfaces. However, the issues of power use, heat dissipation, networking, and privacy provide a necessary framework in which to discuss interface. Part 1 of this article covers the first two of these issues; Part 2 begins with the networking discussion. Networking As with any wireless mobile device, the amount of power and the type of services available can constrain networking. Wearable computers
more » ... ould conserve resources through improved coordination with the user interface. For example, the speed at which a given information packet is transferred can be balanced against latency, energy costs, and financial costs. Often, bits per second per watt is a more meaningful measure of a particular wireless networking technology than maximum throughput. Another serious issue is open standards to enable interoperability between different services. For example, only one longrange radio should be necessary to provide telephony, text messaging, Global Positioning System (GPS) correction signals, and so on. For wearable computers, networking involves communication off body to the fixed network, on body among devices, and near body with objects near the user. Each of these three network types requires different design decisions. Designers must also consider possible interference between the networks. Off-body communications. Wireless communication from mobile devices to fixed infrastructure is the most thoroughly researched of these issues. On the consumer side, analog cellular phones and digital amateur-radio repeaters provided the first glimpse of future problems; these systems would often drop connections as the user moved. Communica-
doi:10.1109/40.946683 fatcat:ee5uswb3nzhx7mmeht5qila3am