Distributed beamforming in wireless sensor networks

We present an adaptive distributed beamforming approach for sensor networks, wherein sensor nodes coordinate their transmissions to form a distributed antenna array that directs a beam toward an airborne relay (an Unamanned Aerial Vehicle). Distributed beamforming using sensors is challenging since the number of nodes and their exact positions are unknown. A simulation model was implemented to study adaptive beamforming, and results are compared to theoretical results for random arrays. We show that the antenna main lobe remains stable in the presence of position errors and sensor failures, and thus can be steered in an adaptive manner as a UAV flies past.