RF Propagation Measurements in Agricultural Fields for Wireless Sensor Communications

This work reports Received Signal Strength (RSS) at ISM band 2.4 GHz using Digi´s XBee-PRO ZB S2B transceiver modules with integrated whip antenna in Agricultural (Corn, Paddy and Groundnut) fields targeting short-range, near ground RF propagation measurements for planning and deployment of Wireless Sensor Communications/Networks in agriculture fields for precision agriculture and plantation management applications. Path Loss (PL), Path Loss Exponent (PLE) and corresponding Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values were deduced from the measured RSS from various positions in these environments during crop growth and maturity stages. Empirical foliage loss prediction models such as COST 235, Early ITU Vegetation and Weissberger models were compared with the experimental results.