The impact of propagation media and radio interference on the performance of wireless sensor networks with MicaZ motes

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) are currently deployed in both indoor and outdoor environments. Due to limitations in energy and transmitting power, short-distance communications, propagation effects leading to frequent changes in topology and nodes failure in such environments the overall performance of WSNs is of serious concern. MicaZ motes are commonly used in order to form WSNs. The propagation characteristics of MicaZ motes are analyzed in the context of signal degradation phenomena and wireless interference. The results obtained from measurements are intended to be used for designing new network protocols and for future implementations of WSNs in real world.