Simulation studies on ZigBee network for in-vehicle wireless communications

The increase in the number of sensors and Electronic Control Units (ECU) that are deployed in a vehicle has increased the wiring harness complexity and the cost brought to the automobile industry. Some sensors are installed at very inaccessible locations, such as pressure sensors and wheel speed sensors in car tires, which transmit crucial real time data via cables. Managing the increasing complexity of electronic system has become a key challenge for automobile manufacturers and their suppliers. There arises the need for Wireless networks which can effectively reduce this complexity. Zigbee wireless sensor networks are seen as a good candidate technology to replace the wired network inside an automobile because of its mesh networking capabilities and low power consumption. With its fine capability of solving multi-path fading using Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) technology and interference resilience using Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA), ZigBee wireless technology is considered as a highly promising candidate for intra-vehicular wireless networks. However, the propagation channel inside a vehicle is closed and is effected by the mechanical vibrations caused by the movement of the vehicle. So, modelling of the channel and an adaptive equalizer is necessary to facilitate the reliable communication inside a vehicle. This paper proposes the simulation of physical layer of ZigBee network and the propagation channel inside a vehicle along with an adaptive equalizer at the receiver. Finally this paper gives the details of simulation results and the future scope for research in this area.