Geotextile–microstrip–hybrid antennas for roadbed based wireless communication

Incorporating microstrip antennas (MSAs) into geotextile materials is a promising alternative to utilize advanced wireless capabilities such as wireless traffic monitoring into public transportation infrastructures. Together with a reference MSA, three geotextile–microstrip–hybrid antennas (GA) with different plain weave configurations were fabricated. Full-wave simulation and experimental results confirm that the fabric pattern of the GA affects its radiation characteristics. The dominant TM010x mode of MSA is disturbed by placing conductive wires in the weft direction only. Meanwhile, a higher order TM002x mode exists and yields radiation patterns more suitable for roadbed-based wireless communication application. This suggests that it is possible to manipulate the radiation characteristic of a GA by controlling its weaving configuration. A preliminary package error rate test is also performed and the feasibility of using the GA as complimentary wireless communication hardware is discussed.