Auto Steering For ISM Band Antennas

Project Title

Auto Steering For ISM Band Antennas

Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject Summary

The project consists of transmitter and receiver antennas. The transmitter is stationary while the receiver’s antenna is rotating 180 degrees along its axis. Signals will be transmitted in GHz. The strength of the signals at various angles would be measured. As all values will be calculated at different angles then a receiver will align itself at an angle where maximum power can be received. It would be a smart system that will adjust itself to receive a signal with good strength.

Zigbee sensors would be used in this prototype. These small sensor nodes consist of the radio part for spreading data, the sensor part for sensing environmental phenomena, the processing unit, and the power supply.

This project presents a simple method for the measurement of a signal that uses an omnidirectional rotatable monopole antenna, using RSSI measurements. Therefore, the maximal RSSI is used for the directional detection of an arrived signal.

Project Objectives

It will be used for improving the power capabilities of an antenna. It will ensure that the optimum signal strength would be obtained by a receiver that provides smooth connectivity to the user. Communication between IoT devices will be enhanced and low latency could be obtained.

Following are the objectives of this project:

• Optimization of signal strength

• To design a reflector for Antenna

• Access to the Internet in a less privileged area

• To make 5G communication smooth

Project Implementation Method

The project consists of three Xbee modules with their respective microcontroller. One module acts as a transmitter while the remaining two are part of receiving side.

On receiving side, one Xbee module is working as a sensor module which is rotating 360 degrees and calculating signal strength at different intervals. Signal strength at different intervals would compare then the angle details, at which the maximum signal strength is received, would be sent to a receiver antenna. The receiver will be set to an angle where maximum signal strength can be achieved.

A Reflector would be designed in order to make the omnidirectional antenna somewhat directional.

Benefits of the Project

This antenna system is much needed in rural areas which are less privileged in terms of internet connectivity. This will help them to have good internet service without investing much money in building more towers and telecommunication offices. The military defense system could be more efficient when the military needs good connectivity in unprivileged areas (deserts, mountains, etc.). Therefore, they don’t have to find a line of sight where they will get the best connectivity it would be done by an auto-steering system.  

In near future, the world would be entering the era of 5G (5th Generation) communication which will revolutionize the world in different ways. It is going to ultra-reliable low latency communication which will change the way doing in the health sector, industries, sports, etc. The main problem with 5G is interference with the network. Therefore, this prototype will help you to align with the line of sight which has less interference.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

We have used the XBEE module which is normally used as a sensor node. This module has a built-in register that calculates the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator). RSSI is a relative power of a received signal. Normally, the RSSI signal range lies between 40 to 100 dBm where 40 XCTU software is being used throughout the process for the communication of the devices. All the communication is done in GHz.

A reflector (copper or aluminum) would be designed in order to make monopole antenna directive in one direction which will help us to obtain strong RSSI values. 

Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry TelecommunicationOther IndustriesCore Technology Internet of Things (IoT)Other TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	23272
XBee	Equipment	3	4500	13500
Arduino	Equipment	2	1200	2400
LCD display	Equipment	2	320	640
XBee Shield	Equipment	1	800	800
XBee Explorer	Equipment	2	750	1500
Nema 17 Stepper Motor	Equipment	2	541	1082
A4988 motor driver	Equipment	1	150	150
Breakout board for Xbee	Equipment	1	200	200
Structure	Miscellaneous	1	3000	3000