Abstract: This paper presents an architecture for wireless sensor networks (WSN) operating in the 2.4GHz RF band for implementation in environments of small tunnels. The study begins with an objective description of the RF architecture and with the implementation of a RSSI analysis in real scenarios. The designed modules are using directional and omnidirectional antennas for each test scenario. In initial experiment is included a test on the 433Mhz band. The developed WSN architecture provides a higher degree of reliability at environments with denser structures (tunnels) and enables the use of directional and omnidirectional antennas for better signal behavior considering the structure of environment to propagation.

This paper shows performance evaluation results of a wireless mesh network employing an 802.11s standard and low cost Intel Classmate PCs. The experiments consist of throughput and coverage range determination, in indoor and outdoor scenarios, in which net and communication multihop coverage tests were done. The results show maximum throughput of 14 Mbps for TCP and 12 Mbps for UDP respectively, proving the proposed solution's viability for the digital inclusion process in public schools.