USING SMART ANTENNA FOR INTERFERENCE RESISTANT INDUSTRIAL WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS: A REVIEW

Abstract

Wireless sensor networks deployed in harsh and time-varying radio environments, such as those seen in industrial settings, are susceptible to radio frequency interferences that are not present in conventional wireless sensor networks used for office or home automation. Noise and other wireless interference affect network connectivity and reduce communication channel quality. Furthermore, reliability and latency, which are critical components of industrial communication, suffer. It is difficult to build wireless networks in industrial environments that can coexist with competing wireless devices in an increasingly congested frequency spectrum and are immune to signal interference. To address these difficulties, we must consider the benefits that approaches that have been effective in other application areas can bring to industrial communication. Smart antenna approaches present a viable solution for increasing the interference resistance of industrial wireless sensor networks. Integration of smart antennas into the physical layers of Industrial Wireless Sensor Network (IWSNs) can enable effective signal transmission and reception by devices, which is superior to the omnidirectional antennas now in use. This would reduce interference and boost IWSNs wireless reliability.