Maximizing XBee Range: Enhancing Communication Using Co-Planar Patch Antennas for Stable Ground Connectivity

This study focuses on the utilization of XBee S2C devices operating at a frequency of 2.4 GHz in the ISM band. Equipped with the IEEE 802.15.4 internet protocol, these devices are designed to serve as both transmitters and receivers in a satellite communication system. The XBee devices are positioned in an outdoor environment, and the maximum data transfer distance is determined using the default isotropic antenna on the XBee modules. One of the XBee modules is assigned as the receiver, while the other functions as the coordinator. The designated receiver XBee module is connected to a co-planar rectangular patch antenna with an operating frequency of 2.66 GHz via the SMA connection. Similarly, another patch antenna with a working frequency of 2.811 GHz is attached to the receiver XBee in the same manner. The fixed isotropic antennas remain on the XBee S2C module. Measurements are conducted using a Nano VNA device, revealing - 20.86 dB and 15.58 dB S11 scattering parameters for the microstrip rectangular patch antennas. The measurements are taken with the radiation parts of the antennas facing each other outdoors on the campus of Düzce University. As a result of these measurements, there is an observed increase of approximately $95 \%$ in the maximum data transfer distance. In clear weather conditions, the maximum distance improves from approximately 121 meters to 236 meters.