Sirloin signal: researchers stream high-quality video data through meat

Using shop-bought pork loin and beef liver the team, from the University of Illinois, demonstrated that improved signal processing techniques can provide high data rates (>30Mbps) with low error rates through tissues at frequencies that would allow propagation through the body (<10 MHz).

According to Prof Andrew Singer, who headed the group, the work opens up the possibility of being able to stream video from, and even control, implanted medical devices in the body.

"You can imagine a device that is swallowed for the purposes of imaging the digestive tract but with the capability for the HD video to be continuously streamed live to an external screen and the orientation of the device controlled wirelessly and externally by the physician,” he said.

Currently, most implanted medical devices use RF electromagnetic waves to communicate through the body, however the bandwidths that can be used are heavily regulated, which limits the communication rates of these devices. What’s more, RF electromagnetic waves are significantly attenuated by the human body, and efforts to overcome by increasing power can lead to heating of tissue.