Frequency Tunable Antennas for Smart Grid Communications

Location

Nessmith-Lane Atrium

Session Format

Poster Presentation

Research Area Topic:

Engineering and Material Sciences - Electrical

Abstract

The transformation of the traditional power grid into a smart grid brings about significant improvement in terms of reliability, performance, and manageability. Furthermore, communication infrastructures represent the backbone of the smart grid’s home area networks, neighborhood area networks, and wide area networks. Existing wireless communication infrastructures such as 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and Bluetooth are set to play dominant roles as they collectively serve as available mediums for transmission of data. As a result of the opportunistic spectrum created by the given mediums, bandwidths span across a large spectrum thus requiring smart devices to possess communication capabilities for several allocated frequencies.

In standard communications, arrays of antennas are employed for signal detection across a differing frequency spectrum. Consequently, manufacturing costs, scalability, and efficiency are compromised. The study to be conducted will research frequency tunable antennas as a solution along with associated effects on antenna characteristics. Frequency tunable antennas provide an effective mean for detection of differing frequencies by way of a single antenna. Though there are six major types of frequency tuning techniques, only three, RF MEMS, PIN Diodes, and Varactors, belong to the electrical field. The listed components serve as switches to redistribute the surface currents and alter the antenna radiating structure topology and/or radiating edges. In regards to simulation, CST-Studio will be employed to simulate a frequency tunable antenna for analysis of radiation patterns, gain, necessary time for change in frequency, associated noise, etc. Additionally, numerical analysis is to be conducted by means of MATLAB.

Frequency tunable antennas provide a viable solution for smart grid communications by reducing manufacturing costs for smart devices. Moreover, utilizing a single antenna to perform functions associated with an array of antennas produces an improvement in scalability, smart device connectivity, and power usage. An additional advantage is the realization of wireless power readings throughout the smart grid community. By studying frequency tunable antennas, significant advances in the fields of electrical engineering, telecommunications, and smart grid will be achieved.

Presentation Type and Release Option

Presentation (Open Access)

Start Date

4-16-2016 2:45 PM

End Date

4-16-2016 4:00 PM

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Apr 16th, 2:45 PM Apr 16th, 4:00 PM

Frequency Tunable Antennas for Smart Grid Communications

Nessmith-Lane Atrium

The transformation of the traditional power grid into a smart grid brings about significant improvement in terms of reliability, performance, and manageability. Furthermore, communication infrastructures represent the backbone of the smart grid’s home area networks, neighborhood area networks, and wide area networks. Existing wireless communication infrastructures such as 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and Bluetooth are set to play dominant roles as they collectively serve as available mediums for transmission of data. As a result of the opportunistic spectrum created by the given mediums, bandwidths span across a large spectrum thus requiring smart devices to possess communication capabilities for several allocated frequencies.

In standard communications, arrays of antennas are employed for signal detection across a differing frequency spectrum. Consequently, manufacturing costs, scalability, and efficiency are compromised. The study to be conducted will research frequency tunable antennas as a solution along with associated effects on antenna characteristics. Frequency tunable antennas provide an effective mean for detection of differing frequencies by way of a single antenna. Though there are six major types of frequency tuning techniques, only three, RF MEMS, PIN Diodes, and Varactors, belong to the electrical field. The listed components serve as switches to redistribute the surface currents and alter the antenna radiating structure topology and/or radiating edges. In regards to simulation, CST-Studio will be employed to simulate a frequency tunable antenna for analysis of radiation patterns, gain, necessary time for change in frequency, associated noise, etc. Additionally, numerical analysis is to be conducted by means of MATLAB.

Frequency tunable antennas provide a viable solution for smart grid communications by reducing manufacturing costs for smart devices. Moreover, utilizing a single antenna to perform functions associated with an array of antennas produces an improvement in scalability, smart device connectivity, and power usage. An additional advantage is the realization of wireless power readings throughout the smart grid community. By studying frequency tunable antennas, significant advances in the fields of electrical engineering, telecommunications, and smart grid will be achieved.