Smart Antennas and Intelligent Sensors Based Systems: Enabling Technologies and Applications

open access articleThe growing communication and computing capabilities in the devices enlarge the connected world and improve the human life comfort level. The evolution of intelligent sensor networks and smart antennas has led to the development of smart devices and systems for real-time monitoring of various environments. The demand of smart antennas and intelligent sensors significantly increases when dealing with multiuser communication system that needs to be adaptive, especially in unknown adverse environment [1–3]. The smart antennas based arrays are capable of steering the main beam in any desired direction while placing nulls in the unwanted directions. Intelligent sensor networks integration with smart antennas will provide algorithms and interesting application to collect various data of environment to make intelligent decisions [4, 5]. The aim of this special issue is to provide an inclusive vision on the current research in the area of intelligent sensors and smart antenna based systems for enabling various applications and technologies. We cordially invite some researchers to contribute papers that discuss the issues arising in intelligent sensors and smart antenna based system. Hence, this special issue offers the state-of-the-art research in this field

Adjustable transmission power in wireless Ad Hoc networks with smart antennas

In this paper, we present a model to analyze the performance of wireless ad hoc networks with smart antennas, i.e. directional antennas with adjustable transmission power. Our results show that smart antennas can improve the network performance by mitigating the effects of interference. We illustrate our model with the NFP (Nearest with Forward Progress) transmission strategy. Our analytical and simulation results show that, for ad hoc networks with smart antennas, NFP yields good throughput and remains stable as the node density varies. © 2008 IEEE.published_or_final_versionThe Proceedings of the IEEE Global Telecommunications Conference (GLOBECOM 2008), New Orleans, LO., USA, 30 November-4 December 2008, p. 1326-133

Performance and Improvement of Various Antennas in Modern Wireless Communication System

Today, the importance of wireless communication is known around the world. To achieve better communication, many techniques and methods have been introduced. Among these techniques, intelligent / adaptive antennas are a hot topic in the field of research. Smart antennas consist of several antenna arrays and are able to optimize the radiation and reception of dynamically desired signals. In order to avoid or mitigate interference, smart antennas may also introduce zero values towards the receivers by adaptively updating the weights associated with each antenna element. Smart antennas can also improve reception quality and reduce missed calls. The various existing surveys are also discussed to identify the research deficit for the scope of future research

Antennas Embedded in the Front Frame of Smart Glasses

Ergonomic head-up display is enabled by reliable, low latency, radio frequency (RF) communication between smart glasses and smartphones. The form factor of antennas on head-worn frames is impacted by the proximity of the frame to the human head and by cross-body interference. In addition, the large bandwidth required on the glass-to-phone link entails the use of multiple antennas, limiting the space available to route signals. The presence of antennas also restricts the choice of material for the front frames. This disclosure describes a multi-element, front-frame structure for smart glasses that enables metallic front-frame materials that enable superior cosmetic, structural, and communication design options. The described structure reduces the space occupied by antennas and reduces the complexity of assembly of multiple discrete antennas. The propagation loss presented by the human head is nullified, enabling lower radiated power, lower power consumption, and smaller and/or lighter smart glasses

Optically Transparent Antennas and Filters

As society continues to increase its demand for wireless network access, more antennas, base stations, and network access points is a must. By integrating these antennas into existing infrastructure, such as buildings, cars, and street lights, network engineers can begin to meet these demands. In order to integrate antennas into windows, optical transparency is paramount. Optically transparent antennas are currently created through materials known as Transparent Conductive Oxides (TCOs). TCOs are doped metal oxides that have high optical transmittance and low electrical resistivity. TCOs are employed in flat panel displays, touch sensitive control panels, and electromagnetic shielding windows. The most popular material in use, is called Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). ITO however, is becoming expensive to extract, and from mass production, it is becoming scarce. Therefore, an alternative to ITO is needed. Gallium Zinc Oxide (GZO) is an optimal substitute for ITO because it is in the same element group and has comparable conductivity/resistivity values. We have successfully fabricated an optically transparent antenna resonating at 2.4 GHz (Wi-Fi) and two transparent frequency selective surfaces at 27.5 GHz (proposed 5G). Optically transparent antennas allows a promising future in wireless technology such as smart windows, eyeglass telemetry, and even transparent RFID tags.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/capstone/1182/thumbnail.jp