Abstract:
In recent years, there is emerging interest in deploying wireless sensor network in the forest for remote surveillance, communications, disaster relief, and environmental monitoring. One challenge in the design of such networks is to ensure reliable communication between sensors located near the ground and over short distances. However, the propagation mechanisms in this type of scenario are complex and not well understood. Furthermore, the design of antennas that can exploit the resulting propagation mechanisms for optimal power transfer remains an open question.
In this talk, we will report our study on the wave propagation and antenna radiation in forested environments. We will introduce various scaled forest models and explore the propagation mechanisms inside them through scaled model measurements in the laboratory, numerical simulations and various effective medium theories. The real forest measurement data will be shown and correlated with laboratory results as well. At the end, we will present some directive antenna designs based on the understanding of the propagation mechanisms.
Bio:
Yang Li received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the University of Science and Technology of China, in 2005, and the M.S degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, in 2007, where he is currently working towards the Ph.D.
His research interests include wave propagation and antenna radiation inside the forested environment, effective medium theory and homogenization technique, electrically small antenna design, leaky-wave antenna design, micro-doppler radar and metamaterials.
Mr. Li is the recipient of the Doctoral Research Award from the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society, the 3rd prize at the 2010 USNC-URSI National Radio Science Meeting student paper contest, and the Houston Endowment President's Excellence Fellowship from the University of Texas at Austin.
