Molecular Signal Reception in Complex Vessel Networks: The Role of the Network Topology

Jakumeit T, Brand L, Kirchner J, Schober R, Lotter S (2025)

Publication Type: Conference contribution

Publication year: 2025

Journal

2012 IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.

Pages Range: 6049-6055

Conference Proceedings Title: IEEE International Conference on Communications

Event location: Montreal, QC CA

ISBN: 9798331505219

DOI: 10.1109/ICC52391.2025.11160711

Abstract

The notion of synthetic molecular communication (MC) refers to the transmission of information via molecules and is largely foreseen for use within the human body, where traditional electromagnetic wave (EM)-based communication is impractical. MC is anticipated to enable innovative medical applications, such as early-stage tumor detection, targeted drug delivery, and holistic approaches like the Internet of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT). Many of these applications involve parts of the human cardiovascular system (CVS), here referred to as networks, posing challenges for MC due to their complex, highly branched vessel structures. To gain a better understanding of how the topology of such branched vessel networks affects the reception of a molecular signal at a target location, e.g., the network outlet, we present a generic analytical end-to-end model that characterizes molecule propagation and reception in linear branched vessel networks (LBVNs). We specialize this generic model to any MC system employing superparamagnetic ironoxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as signaling molecules and a planar coil as receiver (RX). By considering components that have been previously established in testbeds, we effectively isolate the impact of the network topology and validate our theoretical model with testbed data. Additionally, we propose two metrics, namely the molecule delay and the multi-path spread, that relate the LBVN topology to the molecule dispersion induced by the network, thereby linking the network structure to the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the target location. This allows the characterization of the SNR at any point in the network solely based on the network topology. Consequently, our framework can, e.g., be exploited for optimal sensor placement in the CVS or identification of suitable testbed topologies for given SNR requirements.

Authors with CRIS profile

Timo Jakumeit Lehrstuhl für Digitale Übertragung (IDC) Lukas Brand Lehrstuhl für Digitale Übertragung (IDC) Robert Schober Lehrstuhl für Digitale Übertragung (IDC) Sebastian Lotter Lehrstuhl für Digitale Übertragung (IDC)

Involved external institutions

Fachhochschule Dortmund - University of Applied Sciences DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Jakumeit, T., Brand, L., Kirchner, J., Schober, R., & Lotter, S. (2025). Molecular Signal Reception in Complex Vessel Networks: The Role of the Network Topology. In Matthew Valenti, David Reed, Melissa Torres (Eds.), IEEE International Conference on Communications (pp. 6049-6055). Montreal, QC, CA: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc..

MLA:

Jakumeit, Timo, et al. "Molecular Signal Reception in Complex Vessel Networks: The Role of the Network Topology." Proceedings of the 2025 IEEE International Conference on Communications, ICC 2025, Montreal, QC Ed. Matthew Valenti, David Reed, Melissa Torres, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2025. 6049-6055.

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