Abstract:
Directional wireless Sensor Network (DSN) outperforms Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) over different parameters such as transmission range, interference, spatial reusability and energy efficiency. In this paper, a Rectangular Patch antenna Array (RPA) based sectored antenna is proposed for DSN. The individual sector is composed of two-element rectangular patch antenna array with a measured peak gain of 5.2 dBi and half-power beamwidth of 45°. Single Pole 8 Throw (SP8T) Radio Frequency (RF) switchboard is designed to connect the sectored antenna to MICAz WSN mote. The antenna performance analysis carried out in simulation and real-time measurement via Ansys High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) and Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) exhibits higher gain, lower return loss, half-power beamwidth and Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR).