Propagation measurements and modeling for monitoring and tracking in animal husbandry applications

Transmission loss measurements using IEEE 802.15.4 technology are reported in an outdoor environment for application to monitoring and tracking of small ruminants. The simplest possible propagation model is shown to reflect the general features of the measured propagation data. Its absolute accuracy, however, is probably inadequate for use in a location algorithm based on model inversion without optimization of its parameters. Model calibration to reflect inter-site variation of the propagation environment is suggested as a possible way of realizing a location system with useful accuracy and adequate portability.