OBJECTIVE: In this research, a full-duplex transmission system was developed in order to send real time medical information(i.e. patient vital signs, real-time patient video/audio data) using HSDPA(High-Speed Downlink Packet Access), a 3.5th generation mobile communication system.

METHODS: Transmission tests were conducted in an environment simulating that of the inside of a moving ambulance, transporting an emergency patient. The capability of the HSDPA system to transmit emergency medical information has been verified by comparing the prolonged cumulative data, calculating packet loss, and measuring transmission speed.

RESULTS: Test results show that the system is capable of transmitting vital signal data, including 12 waveform data, 20 numeric data and 113 events. This provides enough information needed for medical guidance, reading the affected part of the patient, and forwarding 320x420 pixel images at 2fps. Full-duplex voice transmission at 8bit/64kbps is enough to permit reliable communication between emergency medical technicians and hospital professionals. A total of 11.43 kilobytes were lost out of 81.25 megabytes. Therefore, the packet loss was 0.013%.

CONCLUSION: The medical transmission system using HSDPA performs well in data transmission speed and communication quality during emergency medical transportation. It is also expected to further improve emergency medical conditions if supplementary systems such as the standard protocol establishment.