Analysis of inter-sensor interference for wireless SAW sensors

This paper presents a theoretical development of the effects of inter-sensor interference applicable to surface acoustic wave (SAW) multi-sensor systems. An approach is presented that statistically estimates desired wireless sensor signal degradation due to interference from other sensors in the system. A simple theoretical model is developed to estimate the inter-sensor interference. Simulations are performed that model the overlap of SAW signals, with consideration given to single frequency, single chip sensors as well as OFC SAWsensors. The simulations predict the degradation of the desired signal to noise due to other sensor responses moving into the desired time window. Results presented in this paper show that the SNR degrades rapidly as undesired sensors move into the desired sensor time window. The model is applicable to a broad range of possible sensor embodiments.