Science and Technology Application in Rural Development (STARDev)

Prototype Development

I.

II.

Project Title
Portable Saltwater Antenna for RF & Wireless Communication Systems in Emergency
Situations
Proponents
Araza, Richmond J., ECT
15 Abad Santos St., Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Novaliches, Quezon City
richie.araza0824@gmail.com
+639359299014
Borja, John Nikko DC., ECT
2322 Arellano St. Sta. Ana, Manila
borjanikko023@gmail.com
+639359868016
Hiwatig, Airon Vincent A., ECT
B25 L20, Langka St., Casimiro Westville Homes, Ligas 3, Bacoor, Cavite
aironvincenthiwatig@yahoo.com
+639773210805
Jovero, Nico Z., ECT
#20-A M.H. Del Pilar St. Tugatog, Malabon
nicojovero@gmail.com
+639056165496
Tolentino, Rodolfo M. Jr.
557c3, Ayala blvd., Ermita, Manila
rodtolentino22@yahoo.com
+639106817892

III.

Cooperating Agencies / Institutions and its role

Technological University of the Philippines - Educational Institution

IV.

Project Site
Technological University of the Philippines
Ayala Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, Philippines

Figure 1. Site Map

V.

VI.

Project Duration
April 2016-March 2017
Background of the Project / Rationale
Communications is very essential in emergency situations. In the Philippines, an
average of 18 tropical cyclones or storms enters the countrys area of responsibility every
year and an average of 8 or 9 of these make landfall. These are natural disasters we
cannot avoid, and
they often disrupt the countrys communication systems. Without
communications, emergency response will be very strenuous. The communication
systems of emergency response teams must be always fully functional.
Antennas are a very important component of electronic communication systems.
By definition, an antenna is a device used to transform an electromagnetic wave in space
into electrical currents in conductors or vice versa. Its function depends on whether it is
being used for receiving or for transmitting.

Saltwater, as we know, is naturally abundant. People can also produce saltwater,

by dissolving salts in fresh water. Salt is an electrolyte. Electrolytes are substances that
produce a good electrically conductive solution when dissolved into a polar solvent, such
as water. When electrolytes are dissolved, they are separated into cations and anions,
which disperse uniformly through the solvent.
By using the conductive properties of saltwater, metal antennas could be replaced
by saltwater antennas. The electromagnetic properties of saltwater make it a good
material of an antenna. This saltwater antenna could be an alternative emergency
broadcast antenna for metal antennas during natural disasters. A portable antenna made
up of a broadcast current probe, a water pump, a microcontroller, a flow rate sensor, and
a proportional solenoid valve. It will use a vertical stream of saltwater through a current
probe to radiate and collect electromagnetic waves. The broadcast current probe will also
provide the bandwidth of the antenna. The height of the saltwater stream would
determine the frequency of the antenna. The saltwater antenna could possibly replace the
usual metal antennas of communication systems.
VII.

VIII.

Objectives
The overall aim of this study is to develop an antenna, with a microcontrollerbased frequency adjuster, which uses the electromagnetic induction properties of
saltwater to transmit and receive radio signals. The study also aims to:
1. To determine the salt concentration of the saltwater solution that will be used for the
pumping of the stream.
2. To develop a microcontroller program and circuit that will control flow rate and height
of the saltwater stream.
3. To integrate the hand-held transceiver radio connected current probe that shall be used
for transmission and reception of RF signals.

Technical Aspect

Figure 2. Block Diagram

Figure 3. System Design

IX.

Methodology

Figure 4. Input-Process-Output Diagram

Figure 8 shows the input-process-output diagram of the research process. To
develop the antenna system, further research, knowledge, and hardware/software
requirements must be acquired. Knowledge in electronic communications, antennas, and
Arduino programming must is required. The main hardware requirements include a
transceiver radio, a current probe, a water pump, a microcontroller, and a power source.
The software requirements include only the Arduino IDE.
The process of the device development have two parts, the hardware and software
development. Under the hardware development, the design and construction of the
antenna system using the current probe and power pump will be done. A microcontrollerbased circuit for adjusting the frequency will also be developed. Under the software
development is the programming of the microcontroller.
The process will produce a functional saltwater antenna system with a
microcontroller-based frequency adjuster circuit for RF communications systems.

Testing Procedure
-Making of Saltwater Solution
The conductivity of the saltwater solution is based on its salinity. Different fixed
salt concentrations will be prepared and tested to determine the effect of salinity on the
antenna parameters.
-Water Pump Calibration
Since the frequency of the antenna is dependent on the wavelength of the antenna,
the height of the saltwater stream should be varied according to the operating frequency.
The water pump pressure must be calibrated to produce a vertical water stream with a
specific height.
-Frequency Adjustment Circuit
The frequency adjustment circuit must be able to control and measure the
saltwater stream according to the desired antenna frequency. The proportional solenoid
valve will be used along with a Gizduino microcontroller to control the pump pressure.
-Measurement of Antenna Parameters
It is necessary to observe the different antenna parameters such as the bandwidth,
radiation pattern, polarization, antenna gain, and radio horizon.
-Signal Transmission and Reception
A transceiver handheld radio will be coupled to the antenna to send and receive
radio signals. Another transceiver will serve as the receiver when the antenna is used in a
transmitter system, then it will serve as the transmitter when the antenna is used in a
receiver system. A spectrum analyzer will be used to observe the signals that will be
received by the antenna.

X.

Major Activities / Work Plan

The tables below show the time frame of the project.
Activity

Topic Research
Brainstorming
Topic Defense
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Title Defense
Consultation
Canvassing
Avail Mast Clamp Current Probe
Software Development
Avail other devices/materials
Hardware Development
System Initial testing
System Evaluation
Pre-final Defense

Apr

May

2016
Jun Jul Aug

Sept

Oct

Table 1. April 2016-October 2016

Activity

Deployment
Final Evaluation
Documentation
Final Defense

2016
Nov Dec

Jan

2017
Feb Mar

Table 2. November 2016- March 2017

XI.

Expected Output
The system will be able to transmit and receive radio signals that can operate at
10kHz to 100MHz frequency bands. Different antenna parameters will be measured
during the testing of the antenna. A journal will be produced to show the gathered results.

XII.

Environmental / Social Aspect

The study will focus on the determination of the properties of a saltwater solution
that makes it a good material to make an antenna. The device will act like a monopole

antenna and is limited to transmitting and receiving signals within the radio wave band of
the electromagnetic spectrum. The device will also utilize a microcontroller system along
with a proportional solenoid valve. The other types of electrolytic fluids wont be covered
by the study. The other bands of the electromagnetic spectrum wont also be covered. No
hazardous signal frequencies or process will be used during the study.
XIII.

Target Beneficiaries
The project will be beneficial for the local government units, specifically for the
emergency response teams. The local government must be accurate and efficient in
responding to emergency situations caused by natural disasters. The communication
systems of emergency response teams must always be fully functional. Disrupted
communication systems will lead to worse events during disasters.
This study will develop an alternative antenna for usual metal antennas of
communication systems. The antenna element will use an easy to produce solution, the
saltwater. The target beneficiaries of the study are the local government units.

XIV.

Line-Item-Budget
Devices and Equipment

Price

Water Pump

Php 4500.00

Gizduino ATMega168

Php 1000.00

Battery

Php 4000.00

Handheld Radio

Php 8000.00

Mast Clamp Current Probe

Php 130000.00

Proportional Solenoid Valve

Php 1800.00

16x2 LCD Display

Php 500.00

Nozzle and Hose

Php 1000.00

Acrylic

Php 1000.00

Container

Php 500.00

Electronic Components

Php 1500.00

Inverter

Php 2000.00

Total Amount

Php 155800.00