MoteFinder: a deployment tool for sensor networks

The support for the actual deployment of wireless sensor networks is, notwithstanding an increased interest and work in this field, still an underdeveloped area of research. We discuss the use of two simple objects built from household materials -- a cantenna and a tinfoil cylinder -- to increase the directivity of an antenna of a standard mote. This MoteFinder can be used in a variety of applications including node localization and as a tool for selective communication with groups of nodes. We show in our evaluation that both devices provide a good sense of direction in indoor and outdoor scenarios and provide a foundation for future research.

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