Smartphone-Based Telemedicine Supported by Pico-Satellite Constellation

ABSTRACT

Many people in developing countries are required to travel for several hours to see a doctor. The concept of so called telemedicine accompanied with developments in the field of wireless communications may improve the health care. Here presented telemedicine system is for a distance consultation. It is based on a pocket smartphone using its camera to develop a video broadcasting mission for a real-time consultation. However, developing countries in the Middle East and North Africa suffer network coverage in most areas. To overcome this issue, the system includes a software defined radio in order to integrate the small satellite technology in the telemedicine routine. The proposed pico-satellite constellation can provide an interesting solution for near real-time transmission, which will significantly improve the health care in remote areas.

KEYWORDS:

• Constellation
• MENA
• Pico-satellite
• SDR
• Smart system
• Telemedicine

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Omar Ben Bahri

Omar Ben Bahri is a PhD student at the Faculty of Sciences of Monastir, University of Monastir. He received his Masters in micro-nano electronic from University of Monastir. His research focuses on development of Picosatellite based on mobile OS.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Nissen Lazreg

Nissen Lazreg is a PhD student at the Faculty of Sciences of Monastir, University of Monastir. He received his Masters in micro-nano electronic from University of Monastir. His research focuses on satellite constellation conception and development. In addition, it focuses on the development of 3D image construction techniques based on satellite technology.

E-mail: [email protected]

Kamel Besbes

Kamel Besbes was born in 1960 in Monastir, Tunisia. He received MS degree from the Ecole Centrale de Lyon-France in 1986, PhD degree from INSA Lyon, France, in 1989, and the “State Doctorate Degree” from Tunis University in 1995. In 1989, he joined Monastir University. He established teaching and research laboratories initiatives in microelectronics since 1990. Research efforts are focused on microelectronics devices, microsystems, detection and navigation Instruments, embedded systems for environment, and space programs. He has more than 140 published and presented papers at workshops and conferences. He participated in committees of several workshops and conferences as IC-Microelectronics and Smart-Systems and Devices. He is a full professor since 2002. He was the vice-dean (2000–2005), the dean of Sciences Faculty of Monastir (2008–2011), and member of the University Council (2005–2014). He is the head of the Microelectronics and Instrumentation Lab since 2003 and the general director of Research Center for Microelectronics and Nanotechnology in the Techno park of Sousse (Tunisia) since 2014.

E-mail: [email protected]