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An Energy-Efficient, Low-Cost Hybrid OWC–RF IoT Architecture for Biomedical Telemonitoring in Resource-Constrained Environments

Heriniaina Mamitina Rabearison Fanjanirina Razafison Harlin Andriatsihoarana
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An Energy-Efficient, Low-Cost Hybrid OWC–RF IoT Architecture for Biomedical Telemonitoring in Resource-Constrained Environments

by Heriniaina Mamitina Rabearison, Fanjanirina Razafison, Harlin Andriatsihoarana
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International Journal of Computer Applications
Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA
Volume 187 - Number 76
Year of Publication: 2026
Authors: Heriniaina Mamitina Rabearison, Fanjanirina Razafison, Harlin Andriatsihoarana
10.5120/ijca2026926306

Heriniaina Mamitina Rabearison, Fanjanirina Razafison, Harlin Andriatsihoarana . An Energy-Efficient, Low-Cost Hybrid OWC–RF IoT Architecture for Biomedical Telemonitoring in Resource-Constrained Environments. International Journal of Computer Applications. 187, 76 ( Jan 2026), 22-29. DOI=10.5120/ijca2026926306

@article{ 10.5120/ijca2026926306,
author = { Heriniaina Mamitina Rabearison, Fanjanirina Razafison, Harlin Andriatsihoarana },
title = { An Energy-Efficient, Low-Cost Hybrid OWC–RF IoT Architecture for Biomedical Telemonitoring in Resource-Constrained Environments },
journal = { International Journal of Computer Applications },
issue_date = { Jan 2026 },
volume = { 187 },
number = { 76 },
month = { Jan },
year = { 2026 },
issn = { 0975-8887 },
pages = { 22-29 },
numpages = {9},
url = { https://ijcaonline.org/archives/volume187/number76/an-energy-efficient-low-cost-hybrid-owcrf-iot-architecture-for-biomedical-telemonitoring-in-resource-constrained-environments/ },
doi = { 10.5120/ijca2026926306 },
publisher = {Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA},
address = {New York, USA}
}
%0 Journal Article
%1 2026-01-20T22:56:38+05:30
%A Heriniaina Mamitina Rabearison
%A Fanjanirina Razafison
%A Harlin Andriatsihoarana
%T An Energy-Efficient, Low-Cost Hybrid OWC–RF IoT Architecture for Biomedical Telemonitoring in Resource-Constrained Environments
%J International Journal of Computer Applications
%@ 0975-8887
%V 187
%N 76
%P 22-29
%D 2026
%I Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA
Abstract

This paper presents the design, modeling, and experimental validation of a hybrid optical wireless–radio frequency (OWC–RF) IoT architecture for biomedical telemonitoring, specifically tailored to resource-constrained healthcare environments. Unlike conventional RF-only body area networks, the proposed system exploits optical wireless communication for short-range intra-BAN transmission, combined with low-power RF technologies (BLE, LoRa, and GSM) for resilient backhaul connectivity. The platform integrates a multisensor acquisition unit supporting electrocardiogram (ECG), SpO₂, body temperature, blood pressure, phonocardiogram (PCG), and photoplethysmography (PPG) signals. Local embedded processing enables data pre-processing and compression, while a standards-based interoperability pipeline ensures compliance with ISO/IEEE 11073, HL7 v2.x, and HL7 FHIR. Experimental validation conducted on a laboratory testbed and clinically inspired simulation scenarios demonstrates an end-to-end latency below 3 s, communication reliability exceeding 97%, battery autonomy greater than 34 h, and a per-node hardware cost below 30 USD. These results confirm the feasibility of frugal, energy-efficient, and interoperable telemonitoring systems, and establish a scalable foundation for next-generation IoT-enabled digital health infrastructures in low- and middle-income countries.

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Index Terms

Computer Science
Information Sciences

Keywords

Hybrid OWC–RF Biomedical Telemonitoring Wireless Body Area Networks HL7 FHIR Interoperability Energy-Efficient IoT Low-Cost Telemedicine Resource-Constrained Environments

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