Low cost smart antennas for mesh networks

Team members

Albert Lysko

Notes: Collaboration with Hungarian researchers (USZ) is on the way.

Abstract

Smart antenna is an antenna that is capable of adapting its properties to satisfy particular goal(s). The goals may for example include radiation pattern shaping (beamforming/beamswitching). The beamforming provides spacial (directional) selectivity and permits to enhance gain in a desired direction and also to lower the influence of a source of interference.

Capacity of a mesh network can be improved substantially if smart antennas are employed. The smartness of such antennas comes from the intellegent algorithms controlling antenna. Beamforming antennas which are integrated with routing protocols is a new areas of research. This may include using the ability to steer the beam to enhance the node discovery and self-healing.