Assessment of ISM 2.4 GHz Wireless Sensor Networks Performance in Judo Training Venues

In this work, the performance of ISM 2.4GHz Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) deployed in Judo training venues is analyzed. Judo is a very popular martial art worldwide, which is practiced by thousands of people not only at competition level, but also as part of physical education programs at different school levels. There is a great variety of Judo training venues, as each one has specific morphological aspects, making them unique complex indoor scenarios in terms of radiopropagation due to the presence of furniture, columns and equipment, and the presence of human beings, which is a major issue as the person density within this kind of scenarios could be high. Another key aspect is the electromagnetic interference created by other wireless devices, such as personal portable devices and other wireless systems such as WiFi or other WSNs, which make the radioplaning a complex task in terms of coexistence. In order to analyze the impact of these features on the radiopropagation and the performance of WSNs, an in-house developed 3D Ray Launching algorithm has been used. The obtained simulation results have been validated with a measurement campaign carried out in the sport facilities of the Public University of Navarre, by means of ZigBee-compliant XBee-Pro modules. The analysis is completed with the inclusion of an in-house human body computational model. The presented analysis can aid in obtaining the optimal network configuration and performance in terms of energy efficiency and capacity, making the use of WSNs attractive for multiple applications in Judo training venues.