The invention relates to a device being placeable on or close to a human or animal body, wherein the device comprises a sensing unit configured to capacitively sense a physiological signal from the human or animal body and capacitively communicate a body coupled communication signal for a body area network (BAN). With the device a single sensing unit can be used to sense or measure a physiological signal and communicate a body coupled communication signal. Advantageously, the same couplers can simultaneously be used for sensing, transmitting and receiving. The device does not require an extra antenna and RF unit and there is no need for using wires.