Low-Power and Reliable Communications for UWB-Based Wireless Monitoring Sensor Networks in Underground Mine Tunnels

摘要

This paper investigates the bit-error-rate (BER) andmaximum allowable data throughput (MADTh) performanceof a novel low-power mismatched Rake receiver structure forultra wideband (UWB) wireless monitoring sensor networks inunderground mine tunnels. This receive node structure providesa promising solution for low-power and reliable communicationsin underground mine tunnels with more than 90% reductionin power consumption. The BER and MADTh of the proposedreceive nodes are investigated via Monte-Carlo simulationsin UWB line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS)underground mine tunnels. The proposed mismatched receivenodes achieve a MADTh and BER performance approachingthe corresponding optimal nodes with ≈1 dB and 1.5 dBBER performance degradation in LOS and NLOS scenarios,respectively. The mismatched PRake (M-PRake) receiver modelwithLp=5represents the best choice for low-power and reliablecommunications in sensor networks in underground mine tunnelswith BER performance degradation of 1 dB and 3 dB in LOSand NLOS scenarios, respectively, as compared to the optimumdetector. This minimal degradation in performance is traded formore than 90% reduction in power consumption.