Open AccessComparative analysis of magnetic induction based communication techniques for wireless underground sensor networks
Author(s) -
Pratap Malik,
Mohamed Abouhawwash,
Abdulwahab Almutairi,
Rishi Pal Singh,
Yudhvir Singh
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
peerj. computer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.806
H-Index - 24
ISSN - 2376-5992
DOI - 10.7717/peerj-cs.789
Subject(s) - wireless , transmission (telecommunications) , wireless sensor network , computer science , electromagnetic induction , path loss , electronic engineering , transceiver , electromagnetic coil , channel (broadcasting) , electrical engineering , engineering , telecommunications , computer network
A large range of applications have been identified based upon the communication of underground sensors deeply buried in the soil. The classical electromagnetic wave (EM) approach, which works well for terrestrial communication in air medium, when applied for this underground communication, suffers from significant challenges attributing to signal absorption by rocks, soil, or water contents, highly varying channel condition caused by soil characteristics, and requirement of big antennas. As a strong alternative of EM, various magnetic induction (MI) techniques have been introduced. These techniques basically depend upon the magnetic induction between two coupled coils associated with transceiver sensor nodes. This paper elaborates on three basic MI communication mechanisms i.e . direct MI transmission, MI waveguide transmission, and 3D coil MI communication with detailed discussion of their working mechanism, advantages and limitations. The comparative analysis of these MI techniques with each other as well as with EM wave method will facilitate the users in choosing the best method to offer enhanced transmission range (upto 250 m), reduced path loss (<100 dB), channel reliability, working bandwidth (1–2 kHz), & omni-directional coverage to realize the promising MI-based wireless underground sensor network (WUSN) applications.