Underground Wireless Sensor Network Communication Using Electromagnetic Waves Resonates at 2.5 GHz

A comprehensive study of electromagnetic waves underground propagation for a wireless sensor network is introduced in this paper. A mathematical model for path loss due to attenuation of electromagnetic waves propagating in different types of soil is given. Reflection from the air-soil interface as a function of distance between sensors and soil depth is also introduced. Three different types of soil, sandy, loamy and magnetite soil are studied. A high gain antenna is required to overcome the high value of path loss. A printed microstrip circular antenna is very common antenna used for underground wireless communication applications. A high gain microstrip circular antenna is designed and simulated using FEKO software. The antenna performance parameters studied in this paper are return loss, voltage standing wave ratio, input impedance and gain.