Potential to Use Microstrip Patch Instead of Dipole Antennas in 2.4GHz Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper describes the process of designing, simulating and measuring antenna parameters in order to perform a comparative analysis of the performance of microstrip patch antennas and dipole antennas intended for use in wireless sensor networks. The implemented antennas are designed for the unlicensed ISM band of 2.402-2.480 GHz as one of the most widely used bands for this type of network. The patch antenna was created on the basis of calculation and tested in simulation software, and then adjusted with appropriate measurements to suit the intended purpose. Measurements in real conditions were made to compare the patch and dipole antennas in the same frequency range. The patch antenna was further tested, due to the specificity of the implementation within the WSN, in an enclosed and open enclosure made of conductive material that simulates the enclosure of a wireless sensor network nodes in certain applications. The aim of this paper is to show the possibility of using patch antennas instead of dipole antennas in the enclosures of wireless sensor networks nodes.