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A smart cable system and its elements for selective communications and sensor-based data collection within corridors, subways, and tunnels are proposed with applications to the aeronautical, transportation, and space sectors. The main hardware components of the cable system are defined by active and programmable radio-frequency (RF) switches that can enable controlled radiation at specific nodes or hotspots. More importantly, our proposed cable concept provides an evolution from the conventional coaxial cable with distributed antennas, as well as the classic leaky feeder cable, which is typically employed for communications within corridors and mines. Moreover, the proposed smart cable moves toward a hybrid wireless node and programmable system for selective coverage. Planar circuits and low-profile RF electronic components are employed for a low-cost implementation. In this communication, our focus is on the assessment of the proposed smart cable system, its radiating nodes (RNs), as well as the estimation of the system performance based on the measurements of the RN prototypes. Wireless networks, RFID sensors, and power transmission systems can be additional applications for the proposed smart cable. System performance estimations for a real corridor satisfy typical RFID sensitivity requirements with received power levels between −39 and −46 dBm in the worst case.

A smart cable for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) aeronautical and transportation applications is proposed. The cable is designed to provide RFID connectivity at 2.45 GHz inside airplanes, subways, tunnels, etc. and can be made of five hotspot periodically separated by a distance of 3.2 m. Each hotspot consists of one switch, one patch antenna and one Wilkinson power combiner, except the last hotspot which consists of one switch, one inset feed patch antenna and one load. The system ensures a coverage area of 16 m length by 2.5 m height with at least a power level of -39 dBm to be received at the tag assuming an input power of 30 dBm.