RSSI based range analysis of near-ground nodes in Wi-Fi crowded environments

To determine wireless sensor network (WSN) suitability for real world applications that require near-ground node placement, the effect of node height on range must be investigated. This paper describes a study done on node range at different heights in three, Wi-Fi crowded, environments. In the study, measurements of received signal strength indicator (RSSI) were taken at increasing node separation distance. The experimental data was compared to an existing RSSI range model, based on the two-ray analogy, in order to test the model's validity in urban, Wi-Fi crowded, environments. Further studies regarding bit error rate are proposed. This paper sets the groundwork for a more accurate range model regarding near-ground nodes in Wi-Fi crowded environments.