Advances in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Feb 2010)
Path Loss Exponent Influence on Distance Estimation between Wireless Sensor Nodes
Abstract
Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) are challenging and efficient in a large field of applications like object location or distance determination between sensor nodes. In this paper are presented some considerations concerning the method of distance estimation between WSN nodes using the RF power level received by one sensor node. The experimental determinations were made using a WSN system composed of ten wireless modules (one coordinator module and nine WSN nodes). The RF power level received by a sensor node was measured at variable distances, and the dBm values recorded were then used in the distance determination formula. The tests were made in a 3 meters semi-anechoic chamber - in order the results not to be affected by other radio frequency emissions from the surrounding environment - using a 20 Hz-26.5 GHz EMI Test Receiver, a log-periodic antenna and RF cables.
