Simulation, design, development and test of antennas for wireless sensor network systems

Purpose This paper aims to describe the simulation, design, development and characterisation of antennas for wireless sensor networks operating in a variety of environments, including an under water submarine application and more usual “open air” deployments. Design-methodology-approach The experimental test methodology, fixtures, conditions and results used to characterize the performance of these antennas (both state of the art commercially available and those developed in-house) are presented. Findings The underwater test results show a near omni-directional pattern about the three principal axes, thus showing that a spherical field has been achieved for localisation purposes (with a certain loss of resolution). Originality-value The paper focuses on the development of a new antenna scheme to enable under water communications between robotic agents.