Investigation of Wideband Radio Transmitters and Receivers for Localization

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are networks of smart and wirelessly connected devices equipped with reduced communication, computation, and sensing capabilities for control and monitoring applications. Typical examples of WSN applications include building and factory automation, smart grids, health-care, and sport training. WSNs are making it possible to construct the Internet of things, which is the next revolution in information technology.

The accurate estimation of the position of network nodes is essential for many applications, including localization, geographic routing, and vehicular networks. Ranging localization techniques are based on radio wave propagation and are easy to be implemented. Unfortunately, existing positioning techniques based on ranging are inherently limited. The design of special small antennas and the mathematical characterization of the wireless propagation can greatly improve the accuracy of the localization.

In this master thesis, the design of a small antenna suitable for wideband transmission and reception for localization will be carried out. The antenna should be printed on paper using electronic ink. An analysis of wireless attenuations of the signals sent by the transmitter based on short signal bursts from the antenna will be investigated. Based on the analysis, the development of mathematical algorithms for localization will be studied.

Those who are interested to work in an interdisciplinary field and learn new techniques and broaden the knowledge are encouraged to apply. Any Master’s student who has good knowledge of electronic circuit design and signal processing is welcome. Electrical engineering, engineering physics, and computer sciences students with strong technical knowledge are encouraged to contact the person below.