The technology programme

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  The requirement analysis will be correlated with the results of the CIC and UbiCare projects to identify technology gaps which will feed into initial service and system specifications. During the course of the project, the Gap analysis will be repeated using inputs from prototypes and evaluation of initial user trials to identify major areas for improvement of the system and means to effect such improvements.
  

A meeting was held with Liverpool PCT and City Council on 16th October 2007 to discuss the scope and design of the SAPHE trial. The trial design, engagement plan and functionality were presented and agreed with. The main PCT concerns were over the level of commitment in time required from Community Matrons. It was suggested by the PCT that some of the funding that is available from the project to support the PCT’s participation in the trial be used to secure an administrative assistant to support the CMs in their use of the SAPHE system, particularly the collation and input of care record data from other systems.

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  Docobo – Advisory inputs (when requested) into existing and emerging technology solutions; and trial design and management.
  
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  Imperial – Ongoing research and analysis of existing and emerging technology solutions and commercial service offerings. Primarily this involves providing an understanding of needs, implementation challenges, and integration of SAPHE system into current care system.
  

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  Detailed technical and performance specification for the monitoring elements of the system and the ways in which they will interact. Detailed specification of the services required to deploy and manage large scale healthcare monitoring – includes communications, logging, training of personnel, etc.
  

Deliverable D07, now titled ‘System Technical Specification’ (see Q6 report), has been released as Issue 1.0.

A dedicated CISCO security device has been procured and deployed on the network platform. This provides a dedicated hardware solution for the management of the VPN for greater reliability. The device also supports the use of OpenSSL security as an alternative. The VPN has been successfully tested with the Philips Set-top box and also for connectivity to Imperial College and Dundee University.
The Apache ActiveMQ JMS broker has also been successfully tested on the STB communicating with the network platform. Store-and-forward capability has been tested to allow buffering of messages by the STB in the event of network outage.
WPB1 has now completed.

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N/A as this WP is now completed

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  Design and development of common node architecture for SAPHE, including hardware and communications and operating software. Particular emphasis will be placed on low-power RF design, development of analogue STSOM neural networks, network self-configuration and security issues. The work package will also extend into the design and specification of WAN interfaces.
  

Legobrick radio nodes distributed to Imperial. Worked out new protocol for LBR

Verified Imperial BSN can speak to LBR and transmit data over the air to receiving LBR (EAR Sensor)
Ultra Low Power Radio (ULPR)

RF circuits taped out both as individual blocks and fully connected together. This is the first tapeout in a new process. Silicon expected back in Feb. Documentation and plan for RF test circuits started. Complete digital baseband design frozen and laid out, but problems with third party memories delayed actual tapeout of this block. System test software completed, ready for testing the returned silicon. Hardware design documentation started. First silicon demonstrated to be completely working, and power consumption measured to be a maximum of 750uW (250uW less than our budget of 1mW), confirming our design and asynchronous tools. MAC protocol design on hold while system specifications are developed.

The common data protocol based on bin-x has been implemented within the ZigBee communications between sensor and STB. Further work is needed on the STB processing and forwarding of the data of the data to the network platform.

Continued investigation of wireless standards (similar to 802.15.4) for common architecture, based on BSN node, performance testing for assessment underway. Completion of revised design of e-AR sensor, and subsequent manufacture, assembly and testing of revised e-AR sensor (see also WPB7)

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  Philips – ULPR testing: Test new Silicon RF circuits; Start digital IC testing; ULPR development: Tapeout digital circuits; Complete system specification; Start MAC protocol design;
  
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  BT - Completion of common protocol processing and forwarding by the STB from ZigBee sensors to the network platform
  
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  Imperial - Development of SAPHE node based upon extensions of UbiMon BSN
  

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  Use of common node technology for on-body sensing of activity and medical conditions. Autonomic sensing network with self-reconfiguration, self-healing, and context aware analogue implementation with STSOM neural networks.
  

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  Ongoing work on design and incorporation of sensors into wearable prototypes based on the developed e-AR earpiece.
  
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  Development of middleware to support system integration and communications.
  
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  Data collection experiments performed using 10 subjects performing multiple activities for COPD monitoring.
  

Design and testing of 3rd generation mobile hub complete. New version has longer battery life, several days, and is half the size. Also added mini USB charging.

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  Imperial - Development of body sensing system. Identification and continuing work to incorporate greater range of sensors e-AR earpiece design. Development of middleware to support system integration and communications
  
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  Philips - Complete tests on 3rd generation Mobile Hub; Integrate radio with sensors; Package 3^rd generation mobile hub
  

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  Use of common node architecture for sensors around the home to determine activity and usage of facilities, e.g. motion, sound, vibration or temperature sensors. Emphasis on sensor message hopping for reduced power utilisation and network architecture that facilitates sensor inferencing, behaviour profiling, RFID applications, and support for self-configuration and self-healing.
  

Following the issues reported in Q6 with the Integration ZigBee modules we have moved to Jennic devices. Excellent progress has been made and development is nearly complete. Successful testing has been undertaken interfacing a Jennic coordinator to the STB and receiving data from an end device. Testing has shown good range performance of the modules with a ceramic antenna. For optimal performance routers and coordinators will utilise an external antenna. The coordinator will be mounted in a small box externally to the STB and will interface via a USB cable. This will provide flexibility in the positioning of the antenna.

Alternate PIR sensors have now been selected for use in the trial. The chosen devices (Discovery W) are still from Visonic but provide greater room for internally housing the ZigBee module. The PIRs are able to operate in a continuous mode without revision and offer greater battery capacity and well as an integral swivel bracket to aid installation.

A Bluetooth enabled Blood Pressure meter has been identified. The upper arm cuff device is fully approved and produced by A&D. Data communication specifications have been obtained from A&D to facilitate integration within the SAPHE system.

Deliverable D08,’SAPHE Sensing prototype’, has been completed and documentation is written up. The deliverable was completed in December as part of an end-to-end system prototype created at Imperial College. (See WPB7 below)
Imperial

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  Analysis/comparison of various optical tracking systems (e.g. BTS, Vicon), to be considered for inclusion in test-bed facility at IBE. An optical tracking system is significant for research with vision-based sensors in order to establish ground-truth data on subjects recorded movements and activities.
  
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  Ongoing recording/editing of visual data for testing and analysis.
  
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  Analysis/comparison of relevant microprocessors for vision-based sensor architecture (e.g. eCAM, WiSnap, Cyclops, COTS Imote2, etc.)
  

Finished hardware selection of the set top box (e.g. casing, motherboard, storage, bluetooth, wifi)

STB components now working:

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  Wifi networking to BT home hub verified
  
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  Verified STB can speak to BT ZigBee sensor (PIR)
  
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  Connection to SAPHE VPN and database server verified
  
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  Build system for OS on STB ,automatically produce disk image for STB on memory stick
  
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  Comms with BT server working using ActiveMQ & JMS
  

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  BT - Final testing of ZigBee devices. Production of PCBs and sensor integration. Confirmation of bed sensor availability and functionality for Tactex Controls. Integration within the SAPHE system.
  

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  Philips - Write application for STB to record BP and weight
  
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  Imperial - Integration of UbiSense/‘Blob’ sensor components
  

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  Population database design, data mining, behaviour profiling, information inferencing from recorded data and prediction of adverse effects.
  

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  Middleware: Now has TLS based secure layer, implemented for both C++ and Java clients. Can be used in secure or unsecure mode.
  
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  BSN-XML format development ongoing
  
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  Database management, handling and storage including ongoing research towards: Frequent pattern mining, dynamic time warping and episode mining for database development.
  
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  ‘Registration/Correlation’ experimentation for multi-sensor data fusion – ongoing. BFFS (Bayesian Framework for Feature Selection) implemented and run over sensor fusion dataset. Work towards correlating streams, initial outputs demonstrate strong correlation.
  
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  Data analysis of COPD monitoring experiment investigating correlations between respiration, activity and heart rate.
  

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  A working version of the virtual ward has been made, with the previous data being used. This data is now set-up on a machine at BT and is accessed via a VPN connection.
  
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  There has been further exploration into the use of the digital photoframes. While this looks unlikely to be available for the trials because of the service restrictions currently experienced with them, a mock up using tablet PCs may suffice.
  
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  There has been a lot of work done gathering information about possibly producing a Live Drama forum for the SAPHE project. This would involve hiring a group of actors and a script writer to create and perform several scenarios related to the main stakeholders of the project. Stakeholders will be invited to be in the audience during the performance and will have the opportunity between scenarios to comment on them. This is seen as a useful way to take away the barriers that can exist with face to face communication which will give us a greater idea of what they expect. This will allow us to produce a system better suited to their needs and allow the iterations to focus on smaller details.
  
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  There have been several meeting with Dundee’s Community Alarms group, who have experience working with similar patients to those that we are aiming to work with. This gave more insight about the possible SUs.
  

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  Imperial - Development of platform to integrate all data within dynamic system configurations. Particular focus on integrating sensor data from ambient and wearable sensors. Ongoing liaison with Dundee.
  
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  Dundee - Continue development for prototypes. This will focus on improving the interface and may include getting a designer in to create appropriate icons. The Live Forum Drama production will be planned and carried out in the next quarter (providing it is given the go ahead). Technology Usability Workshop with a group of elderly people in Dundee using a range of SAPHE and non-SAPHE hardware.
  

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  Development of elements of service provision including communications systems, and implementation of interfaces between all users of the system. This will be based on the outputs of the initial service and patient engagement studies.
  

An outline plan for WPB6 has been agreed with project partners. Revised deliverables for this work package are:

Pre-D13 ‘Trial Operational Specification’ – end February 2008 – internal only

D13 ‘Full Service Vision’ – end September 2008 (this replaces the ‘Affective HCI’ deliverable referenced in the Second Level Plan).

Development of user interfaces for inferencing system for service providers, based on research in WPA3 and WPB5 underway in liaison with Dundee.

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  Ongoing work on new patient monitor GUI, online and offline modes, summary and detailed views; Introduced flexible flash based plotting tools for user interface.
  

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  BT – Work on Deliverable Pre-D13.
  
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  Imperial - Integration of data mining platform into service provision system. Development of user interface for inferencing system for service providers
  

[It is anticipated that this will be based on three mirror verification set-ups at IC, Philips and BT. The verification is based on the specification from B1]

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  Complete integration of communications, sensing and service elements of the system. Verification of performance against detailed performance specification, both at technical and usability level, and modification of design elements.
  

Weekly integration calls with Imperial and BT. Face to face meet at Imperial to test all components working together. Started Integration Plan and documentation. Started procurement of components for trial in 25 homes

An end-to-end system prototype was created in December linking sensors (ZigBee and Bluetooth), mobile hub, set-top-box and network platform. The prototype showed the use of the common data protocol from the sensors and utilised a secure VPN connection with the network platform. JMS based messaging was used for communications between STB and network platform.

Liaison between partners (BT and Philips) and work towards system integration of various components including:

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  Initial integration of Philips Low-Power radio with e-AR sensor
  
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  Middleware addition for Windows Programming
  
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  Introduction of security for the middleware and database (prototype architecture in development)
  

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  Design and subsequent implementation of effective trials to establish the value of systems for use within an active care environment. NB: this will have required significant early work with healthcare provider partners to establish the test protocols, gain the necessary ethical approvals, and identify suitable patients or elderly users.
  

Trial Preparation planning meeting facilitated at Imperial College on 17 September. The main purpose of the meeting was to glean feedback from Andrew Sixsmith on the experience of the Community Matrons of the Liverpool PCT in dealing with ‘high dependency’ patients. Trial scoping document prepared and discussed with CMs at Liverpool PCT meeting on 16 October. It was agreed that the proposal to install a pre-trial demonstrator in Liverpool would be the best way to get stakeholder buy-in. 1^st stage trials using ‘actor’ participants to test the system, gather data and help identify any faults will be performed prior to clinical trials. These 1^st stage trials will commence around end Q8.

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  Assessment of the value of the system in its various possible configurations to the several subpopulations within potential target user groups. Evaluation of business models for deployment of system to various target user groups. This will include both state organisations and private consumers.
  

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  Identification of Project Deliverables for publication outside of consortium (ongoing). First set of public deliverables available on SAPHE website: http://ubimon.doc.ic.ac.uk/saphe/index.php?a=download&cat=333
  
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  Management Group – weekly teleconferences and monthly progress meetings (ongoing)
  
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  WASP – EU common node project for wireless sensor networks (IC)
  
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  HaCIRIC – Health and Care Infrastructure Innovation (IC)
  
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  BiosensorNet – Novel biosensors and wireless networking technology (IC)
  
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  The Pervasive Computing Group have won grant funding from EPSRC to develop Body Sensor Networks for Sports Applications (Sports-BSN), the grant will run from Jan 07 to the end of Jun 08 (IC)
  
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  Successful outline bid into MRC Lifelong Health & Wellbeing Centre proposal led by the Pervasive Sensing Centre
  
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  Co-ordination and submission of Q7 claims to DTI monitoring officer
  
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  BT and BEIC staff have linkages with the Assisted Living Innovation Platform (ALIP). SAPHE is expected to provide steerage/input into new projects funded under ALIP.
  

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  Philips Presented wireless aspects of SAPHE at eHome, eHealth conference at Cavendish Conference Centre.
  

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  Nigel Barnes gave an invited presentation to a conference on ‘Technology developments in eHome and eCare’ organised by the London Technology Network (www.ltnetwork.org). The presentation focussed on developments in remote patient monitoring and gave an overview of SAPHE.
  

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  A paper submitted to Pervasive Health 2008 (to be held in Tampere, Finland during 30^th January – 1^st February 2008) has been accepted and will be presented by Nigel Barnes. The paper reports on the clinical use of non-invasive activity data and provides an introduction to SAPHE. Louis Atallah from the Pervasive Computing Group at Imperial College will also be presenting a paper on the group’s work at this conference.
  

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  The Pervasive Computing Group at Imperial College are preparing 4-5 papers for submission to the Body Sensor Networks Conference in Hong Kong, June 2008.
  

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  The 2^nd Workshop of the Centre for Pervasive Sensing is in preparation to take place on 28 January 2008 at Imperial College, the workshop will highlight applications of pervasive sensing in healthcare, with presenters including Lord Stewart Sutherland and Rick Moody.
  

The SAPHE Project Spend Profile for Q7 Spend Summary shows some deviations from the baseline, these are:

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  Overspend on labour – this is largely due to a reduction in overhead rates for BT and Philips, which has enabled them to allocate more funds to labour costs. See the note given for Philips and BT below, this deviation from the baseline costs has been reported in previous Quarters.
  
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  Underspend on overheads – see reason above and also reason below for Philips’ overspend on Subcontracts. See the note given for Philips and BT below, this deviation from the baseline costs has been reported in previous Quarters.
  
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  Underspend on materials – this is a relatively small difference and is due to a reallocation of some materials costs by Philips to subcontracts, and the purchase of some equipment by Imperial (see below) which has been reported on capital, not materials.
  
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  Overspend on capital – this is due to the purchase of essential research equipment by Imperial (reported in Q2 and Q3), not foreseen at the time of project planning, but required for the permanent trial environment at the IBE which has had to be reported under capital and not materials. HOWEVER, Imperial have proposed in their recent letter to TSB, that they be allowed to re-journal all equipment that has been counted for as Capital (as no single purchase amounts to the mandatory cost for Capital which is £50K) back to Materials in the following quarter and to be allowed to readjust the Q8 project spend profile to reflect this accounting correction, and therefore no overspend on Capital will be apparent on the next project spend profile.
  
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  Overspend on subcontracts – this is due to internal staffing reallocations at Philips, which has meant that a number of Philips’ SAPHE project staff have had to be subcontracted from Philips APTEC. In addition, Imperial College have overspent on their Subcontracts budget in Q7, please see note on Imperial below for full explanation.
  
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  Overspend on Other 1 – see note for Philips and Dundee below.
  
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  Underspend on Other 2 – Because of the miscalculation in overhead rates BT have overclaimed (to date) on their grant by £12,014.92 (£43,706.53 expenditure). Nigel Barnes has placed this as a negative in the Q12 forecast until up-to-date figures are available for full budgeting.
  

(L/M/H)

Note any issues regarding publications and confidentiality.