Wearable Technology & Plastic Fibers - Essay Example

Wearable Technology & Plastic Fibers Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 PART A: Wearable Technology 3 Uses of Wearable Technology 3 Fitness and Sports 3 Health Care 4 Security and Safety 4 Lifestyle 5 Gaming 5 Importance of Wearable Technology 5 Consequences of poor design of a wearable device 7 Future of Wearable devices 9 A reflection of the work 9 Part B: Plastic Fibers 10 Introduction 10 Types of Plastic Fiber 11 1- Perfluorinated Polymers 11 2- Microstructerd POF 12 Application, Maximum bit Rate 12 Attenuation and Dispersion 14 Devices used 16 Advantages and Disadvantages of Plastic Fiber Compared With Glass Fiber 17 A reflection of the work 19 References 20 PART A: Wearable Technology Wearable Technology is available as a technological device and is also known as wearable gadget. These are worn like clothing or accessories and can function by providing tracking information for fitness and health. There are many devices that also provide motion sensors and are able to take a picture and upload it to cell phone device. Many devices provide a Google interface to search for any query. For example Commbadge is a device that helps in communicating with Bluetooth. It is specially designed for IPhone and Android environments. Wearable technology consists of computer powered devices which can be worn and by a user and can take shape of a watch, shoes, clothing, a goggle, a pen, a watch and many items that are similar. These devices can provide a basic health function like keeping track of the heart beat and having a pedometer capability where as some devices provide enhanced functions comparable to those of smart phones. The device enables the user to view and take pictures, check and send email, browse the web and take the voice commands as well (Jones, 2011). Uses of Wearable Technology Wearable technology has made an essential place in the personal and the business life of individuals. There are many fields in which wearable technology has been facilitating individuals for their personal and business activities (True, 1986; goode, 2014; Jones, 2011): Fitness and Sports Wearable devices have found a special place in the fitness and sports section. Many devices of wearable technologies help in tracking performance and then making it easier to share it on social channels. Wearable technologies help the athletes in saving data related to their workout and saving it for future reference. Pedometer, GPS watches and heart rate monitors are the most used by athletes. Figure 1Wearable Technologies, Images Source: http://www.emergingedtech.com/2014/04/imaging-the-classroom-of-2016-empowered-by-wearable-technology/ Health Care In health care wearable technology can bring many advantages. The visit to a doctor can be minimal as the gadget can bring a monitoring system which can also send the data to the doctor. Remote patient monitoring can allow the patients to keep track of their health issues. Many patients get the freedom to move as they like as their ongoing information about health is being sent to the doctor through a GPS enabled wearable device. Security and Safety Wearable devices play an important role in providing security options to individuals. Wearable device can ensure up to date safety and security solutions to industries and for personal use. Special lighting is available for better visibility. Wearable devices may also provide home security system. Prevention for athletes is available in the form of sports gear as wearable devices and they can provide extra protection. Special gear for extreme sport and for rescue teams is some of the uses that can increase the prevention and the safety of the individuals related to that field. Lifestyle Major changes have been seen in the change in lifestyles due to the use of wearable devices. Operating devices for the recreational activities like watching movies, listening to music have been made the accessibility easier at any place with the help of wearable devices. Gaming Wearable devices have made a huge leap for the gaming world where the experience of the game is now more thrilling and adventurous. Figure 2 Wearable Technology use in Movies, Image Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20141028151300-3693994-wearable-technology-will-revolutionize-the-way-we-live Importance of Wearable Technology Wearable Technology is one of the most fascinating advancement of IT. The importance is seen in many areas related to our everyday activities as they provide portability, accessibility and convenience to the user (True, 1986; goode, 2014; Jones, 2011). Wearable technology has made many activities of our lives much easier and less time consuming. This is seen with the use of Google glass which has the ability to take the voice commands and show data, take pictures, share them at a web interface. In many cases, the wearable technology is more sophisticated than any handheld device which may include a laptop and a cell phone. Functions like scanning an object and sensory features, biofeedback and physiological functions are not provided in the handheld technological gadgets. Smart watches are one the most portable devices which are able to execute many tasks. Many smart watches include sensory components that help in managing the pulse and the heart data, thus giving a complete picture of the health of an individual. The athlete and fitness personnel have relied on the reading of heartbeat for decades. The smart watches as the wearable technology have helped them in accessing and assessing their personal data for better performance (goode, 2014). In hospitals, the use of wearable technology has helped reduce clinical trials. The medical procedures are also streamlines and are less time consuming as many devices are able to send data from home and the visit to the clinic is reduced. This has reduced considerable cost in the health department. The importance of wearable devices is many folds in an office. The devices may help in training agenda, speeding up of the on boarding process with the help of real time feedback. The production can be increased by providing hands free guidance tools (Jones, 2011). Fast tracking features and high tech mobility are provided by wearable devices to rescue teams, emergency workers and warehouse workers. Workers at the disaster pints can have hands free access to data with the help of these devices. The importance of wearable devices which provide sensory optical images is unlimited. They are very beneficial for the law and order task force, the military and the fire fighters. Consequences of poor design of a wearable device The consequences of a poor device which is a wearable technology can bring many health hazards to the user and many financial implications for the company. A smart watch if gives a wrong pulse rate can bring anxiety to the user as well as increase the cost of going to the hospital and time consumption for the doctor’s appointment. Other health hazards with a device that can be used for wearable technology are skin irritation and problem with near sightedness as many devices are used which are installed inside the skin like a chip for recording and storing information. The issue of skin irritation was experienced with a smart watch made by “fitbits” known as the Force. This smart watch was responsible for allergic contact dermatitis in many users. (Rogowsky, 2014). The consumer product safety commission announced that the product force is off the market. The CEO of fitbits “James Park” apologized on the official website for the inconvenience and offered refund (fitbits.com, 2014). The battery life of most of the wearable devices is low as compared to a mobile phone. This has created inclination of customers towards smart phones and Android phones if compared to wearable devices. As per Goode (2014) and according to a report generated by PwC, 33% of the users who have purchased a wearable device, tend to use it infrequently after one year. One of the drawbacks is that being experienced in the smart watches as the wearable device is that to record heart rate of an individual it is required that the movement of the person should be controlled and stable so that they may not interfere with the correct recording of the data. For a sports man this is a requirement which cannot be fulfilled. Many devices have data security issues. The personal information and the data in a wearable device which is mostly stored on the cloud computing is readily being pursued by different companies. This is the direct violation of the privacy of the consumer. The price is one of the obstacles that are being faced by the consumers as well as the companies that are providing the device. The wearable devices are available in the market at a high price which is not affordable by every individual. This is one of the reasons that the wearable devices have not reached the mainstream market. If a buyer purchases a wearable device at a high price, but do not get the desired result due to incomplete features or poor design; this may bring a bad reputation for the company with an unsatisfied consumer. How the output of such devices can be increased to improve the life and efficiency Sheeny (2014) has outlined three technologies which infused with the current technology of the wearable devices can increase the output of the devices. These are: Advanced wearable products: The three main products belong to these categories which are smart watches, body sensors and smart glasses. With infusion of a longer battery life, affordable price and optimization of user interface and a longer battery can bring great value to the product along with consumer acceptability. Artificial intelligence platform (AI): A number of companies such as Apple, Microsoft and recently IBM have decided to allow mobile app developers to make use of their supercomputer platform. This may place the ability of voice command to the device for advance web tasks which will bring more interest and interactive facility for the consumer. Big Data: The developers should create an interface where an opt-in programmatic access that can gain access to the granular data of the consumer about his/her behavior is reached. This goal can be very helpful for Google and this will open new doors of opportunities for many companies. It can help in collecting data of the preference of the users. The data along with the location of the user and ad preference and even the information of 30 days ago can be revealed. Future of Wearable devices The wearable devices have a very strong prospect in future in case all the problems associated with it are resolved. One of them lies in the fact that with the passage of time, the interest of the user for the wearable device like a smart watch comes to an end. This could be attributed to the fact that unlike a smart phone or an Android phone, upgraded versions of the software are not available. It is clear that there is exponential value for wearable devices, in the future of the product making companies, but it is still unclear that how a large size of the population can benefit from these technologies and can avail the advantages. The side effects of the device are many from skin irritation to breach of privacy along with incorrect data. This is the reason that the consumers are not yet ready to embrace the full functionality of the wearable technology. “Apple” was working on the multi touch technology at the time of the release of iPad, but it did not bring the technology in the market until later when the consumers were totally accustomed to the technological device and its understanding (Poole, 2014). The same case can be applied to the technology of wearable devices. Time is needed for the customers in the market to develop an instinctive understanding and the uses of the technology. A reflection of the work Wearable technology can create exponential value in the coming years with the help of the business of the producers which are making wearable devices for the consumers. The use of wearable device is found in every field of our life, whether it is health, sports, and education, in business organizations and for occupational staff related to the fire department, police department or the military. The need is the complete understanding on part of the consumer and complete marketing by the companies which should ensure that the side effects created in the past are 100 percent eliminated. The use of the wearable device should be marketed by providing it in bulk to patients in hospitals, to the sportsmen and to the staff members in offices. The more acceptability and suitability to the environment the wearable devices will create; a greater market for the devices will be shaped. Part B: Plastic Fibers Introduction Normally, called in an abbreviated form as POF, Plastic Optical Fiber comprises of Polymethyl-Methacrylate (PMMA) which facilitates the reflection of light. The term POF is also termed as Consumer Optical Fiber, which is one of the low cost optical fiber which is more convenient to use than glass fiber. It maintains a data transmission speed of 2.5 GB/s, which, although is slower than Glass Optical Fiber, but considerably more rapid as compared to the customary copper wire (Gatekeepers, 1993). Figure 3 Plastic fiber, Image Source: http://www.dmireadymix.com/products/view/reinforcing-fiber Compared to old-fashioned Optical Fiber, PORF is bigger diametrically and as a result, lesser data rates make it appropriate for high bandwidth signal communication over smaller spaces. Keeping glass apart, plastic fiber can be easily amended and molded to transform into a shape which can easily enter difficult areas while its larger core makes it possible for the considerably impaired fiber to work. The best known areas where plastic fibers are used include medical field, home areas, and automotive industry while there are some areas where plastic fibers will be employed such as digital, audio and video interfaces (Al-Azzawi, 2006).. Types of Plastic Fiber There are two different types of POF: 1- Perfluorinated Polymers Newer plastic fibers are created from per fluorinated polymers manifest great transmission light over a larger wavelength range. As compared with the loss of the spectrum of PMMA, per fluorinated fiber has two key features: its ranges from 650 to 13,00 mm, and the loss is than 50 dB/km over this wave length range. This lessening of loss makes it possible for fiber connections made from this material of up to several kilometers. Hence, per fluorinated overrides the distance restrictions of PMMA and it can function with the use of less expensive components made of Glass Optical Fibers at 850 to 1300 mm (Paul, 2004). 2- Microstructerd POF Misconstructured POF (m POF) is newer development in POF, resembling ‘Holey’ or ‘Bind gap’ glass fibers. POF was first introduced by van Eijkelenborg in 2001. Ever since then, there has been a lot of interest in determining applications for they have a competitive advantage over other technologies. Some of the features that have been researched in this context are its ability to tailor to the refractive index profile by altering the entire structure, the ability to make highly bi-fringent or large numerical aperture fibers, and more recently, to carry light in in low index material through photonic band gap guidance (Elliott & Gilmore, 2001). Application, Maximum bit Rate Communication through fiber optic is a method of transmitting information from one place to another by transferring of light pulses through an optical fiber. The emitted light from the optical fiber creates an electromagnetic carrier wave which is designed for carrying information. In early 70’s the idea and design of optical and plastic fiber was introduced which gave rise to fiber optic communications systems which have further revolutionized the telecommunication industry. The evolution of this concept has given rise to the instrumental evolution of the Information Age. The center of a fiber-optic cable is made of dozens or hundreds of minor threads of plastic or glass that makes use of the light to distribute signals. Each thread is acknowledged as an optical fiber, which is as thin as a human hair. Within the fiber-optic cable, a protected glass coat and a confined coating envelop each optical fiber. In place of utilizing electrical signals to distribute or move data, it makes use of light. With up-and-coming network environment the need for the higher data rate is also emerging. The customary cables contain various predetermined limits that cannot be crossed by tremendous sophistication of the technology. On the other hand the technology of the plastic optical fiber offers enhanced data quality and higher data rates at the expenditure of less cost and effort (Nash, 2000, p. 97; Shelly, et al., 2005, p. 491). Fiber is the technology of future that offers the greater advantages for instance higher data rate with less single distortion. The capacity of the plastic fiber optics is increasing and lots of new enhancements are also being made in this area. Considering its benefits when we are looking at electrical transmission the optical fibers have greatly replaced the copper wire communications in core networks in all developed countries. Optical fiber is used mostly by telecommunication companies for transmitting their connection signals, internet communication and cable TV signals. Bell Labs researchers have concluded that internet speed has increased till 100 petabits per second through the usage of fiber optic communication (Tricker, 2002). The composite annual growth in POF sales has exceeded 20% from 2003 to 2006 according to the prediction of market researchers. In contrast to this Glass Optical Fiber are mostly used in telecommunications, whereas it can be used in several industries. The two significant POF applications are in automotive and industrial fields apart from this the control industry was the largest and toughest market for the POF industry until previous year. But now the sales pertaining to this industry has increased as it has become the sole source of revenue for POF makers. The major stimulant for plastic optical fibers is in the industrial control market which can resist EMI created by high voltage and high current devices which involve welders and high voltage apparatus which includes X-ray machines and ion manipulation unit. Today, the main basis of exuberance in the POF business relies on the innovative utilization of their products in automotive industry (Weinert, 1999). Plastic Fiber optic is very high speed, undoubtedly. It could be run tens of miles; therefore attenuation is not a difficulty. There is also no vulnerability to EMI because the data transmission takes place over light, instead of electricity (Nash, 2000, p. 97). The speed of laser light is much higher as compared to electrical signals; fiber-optic cable can without problems transmit data at the rate of more than a billion bits per second. With the passage of time, there are enhancements in transmission media and hardware, therefore, fiber-optic cable transmission speeds have considerably enhanced and at this moment approach 100 Gbps. Furthermore, Fiber-optic is also invulnerable to the electromagnetic intrusion that creates threats for copper wire. Fiber-optic cable also provides astonishing bandwidth. It is not merely very fast as well as can transmit a huge number of messages at the same time, and also fiber-optic cable is a very safe communication medium (Norton, 2001, p. 311). These communications are rapidly becoming the best option for television transmission, telecommunication systems, and data networks. Hence, plastic Fiber optics offers many benefits as compared to traditional ways of information technology, for instance copper or coaxial cables. Attenuation and Dispersion Plastic Fiber-Optic cables have been presented for data broadcast in manufacturing applications owing to their great intervention resilient features against electromagnetic arenas and further benefits for example the potential of lessening dimension and weights. The application as flexible connection lines, predominantly in energy supply chains, which emphasizes great demands on Plastic Fiber-Optic cables. The most significant distinctive standards of fiber optic cable are the dispersion and attenuation. Dispersion is the word which explains the dispersion caused by the mode scattering, which rises from the various travel periods of discrete light beams. Dispersion defines critical transmission properties like bandwidth, cut-off frequency or maximum bit rate. Major alternations in dispersion could not be determined in any of the investigations carried out. The second significant feature, attenuation regulates the supreme possible length of a transmission track (IGIC & Bliss, 1994). The attenuation of a plastic fiber is similar to that of a glass fiber which depends on the light’s wavelength. Owing to this reason the investigation on a particular wavelength of 666nn was carried out. This attenuation of the transmitter is dependent upon the warmth of the receiver while the operator is provided with a certain attenuation financial plan. The complete transmission path includes various junctions and certain conversion regions. For having lowest attenuation the typical value of budget which must be allotted should be approximately 20dB which must not be surpassed if a safe transmission of data is required. Figure 4Plastic Fibers, Image Source: http://www.scierial.com/en/productView.asp?SortID=42&ID=181 While considering attenuation the bending stress is also taken into account which is a considered distinctive for operating in an energy chain, further the mechanical stress is also measured during installation. Hence it is found that relatively large tensile forces appear when it is time for integration of the line into an energy chain. The fixing of the lines at the end of the energy chain must be categorized using selective cable clamps which can further lead towards permanent load traversing. The test of the behavior under load traversing can easily be carried out through by following DIN VDE. The cable clamps are designed for practicing pressure in an area which covers few centimeters. The increase in attenuation is relatively low while the tensile load completely depends on the arrangement of the line. Lines with combined copper conductors or draining relief elements do not depict any visible increase in attenuation till a large amount of tensile force is applied which is apparently the real case with pure optical fibres (Weinert, 1999). Devices used The fiber optical devices are being used in a diverse range of industries and environment, some of which are discussed below: In medical the plastic fiber can be used for guiding light or imaging tools which are utilized in areas which are hard to see. This is called endoscopy while some are utilized as lasers for doing any delicate surgeries. Considering defense purpose it can be utilized as hydrophones for achieving seismic and SONAR uses. Considering data storage the fiber optic mediums can be used for data transmission. In telecommunications the fiber optics are used in all communication channels as a means of relaying signals over a long distance and for connecting city telephone systems (IGIC, 1994). Now let us evaluate the networking use of plastic fibers which are used for connecting users and servers in a variety of network settings which further helps in increasing the speed and the accuracy of transmitting data. In Industrial setting the fiber scopes and bore scopes can be utilized for viewing and inspecting hard to reach areas. Moreover this can be used in sensory devices for testing temperature and pressure when conventional means of measurement cannot be used. Considering broadcasting scenario the cable companies are using fiber optic cables at an increasing rate for having smooth and speedy connection of home services. Moreover these plastic fibers can be used in lighting, imaging, and sensory application and at times also for decorative purposes (DeCusatis, 2002). Advantages and Disadvantages of Plastic Fiber Compared With Glass Fiber Plastic optical fiber in an optical fiber which is made of plastic, it’s a low cost kind of fiber and is normally of less quality as compared to glass optical fiber. It is normally used in automotive and medical industries and also in digital networks. It is suitable in those cases where budget is a major issue, because of its low cost. Plastic fiber is durable and has the capability to bend more than glass fiber, yet it is flammable, so it is a responsibility to take good care of it. Moreover, it is simpler and less expensive (Gatekeepers, 1993). Figure 5POF vs Glass Fiber, Image Source: http://www.thefoa.org/tech/pof.htm Some of the advantages of plastic optical fiber provide greater benefits as compared to the glass fiber, which is simpler and less expensive and is of lighter weight. It provides greater flexibility and resiliency towards bending, shock and vibration. It provides ease of handling and connection making with other devices. Simpler and less expensive components, Lighter weight, Wide range of use Shock and vibration, resiliency to bending, Easy to attach or easy in connectivity Very low-cost as compared to glass fiber Highly safety than glass fiber (Ghatak & Thyagarajan, 1998) There are also some disadvantages of glass fiber: During the transmission there is chance of high loss Low standard The users have no awareness of how to install it Its production also limited A very low number of suppliers and systems Highest temperature fibers (125°C) Have no capability to use at high level as compared to glass fiber (Goode, 2014) A reflection of the work Plastic fiber is inexpensive and usually of a lower quality compared to optical fiber made of glass. The term POF is also termed as Consumer Optical Fiber, which is one of the low cost optical fiber which is more convenient to use than glass fiber. Plastic Fiber optic is very high speed, undoubtedly. It could be run tens of miles; therefore attenuation is not a difficulty. The best known areas where plastic fibers are used include medical field, home areas, and automotive industry while there are some areas where plastic fibers will be employed such as digital, audio and video interfaces. Optical fiber is used mostly by telecommunication companies for transmitting their connection signals, internet communication and cable TV signals. Plastic Fiber optic is very high speed, undoubtedly. It could be run tens of miles; therefore attenuation is not a difficulty. There is also no vulnerability to EMI because the data transmission takes place over light, instead of electricity. The increase in attenuation is relatively low while the tensile load completely depends on the arrangement of the line. Considering broadcasting scenario the cable companies are using fiber optic cables at an increasing rate for having smooth and speedy connection of home services. Moreover these plastic fibers can be used in lighting, imaging, and sensory application and at times also for decorative purposes. Conclusion Plastic fiber is inexpensive and usually of a lower quality compared to optical fiber made of glass. Attenuation is normally greater when plastic fiber is compared with glass fiber. Plastic fiber is primarily used in the automotive and medical industries. Since its attenuation across short distances is hardly problematic, it is gaining considerable popularity, especially where budget is of concern. It is durable and flexible, but also inflammable, so one should take caution when using it. This part of the paper has presented a detailed discussion on plastic fibers. This section has presented a detailed analysis of its important aspects including its advantages and disadvantages. 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