Vehicle as a Node (VaaN) Antenna Development
Vehicle-as-a-Node (VaaN) systems are designed to support communications when traditional networks are unavailable, degraded or constrained. By enabling emergency vehicles to function as mobile connectivity hubs, VaaN systems help maintain communications capability during incidents such as bushfires, floods, land rescue operations and other emergency response scenarios.
Market Gaps: Limitations of Existing Vehicle-as-a-Node Connectivity
The NSW Government has invested in the deployment of VaaN technologies to augment the Public Safety Network (PSN), with systems already deployed across emergency service fleets. However, the effective Wi-Fi coverage achievable around VaaN-equipped vehicles remains constrained by antenna performance.
In many operational environments, first responders operate well beyond the immediate vicinity of vehicles. Existing vehicle-mounted Wi-Fi antennas can limit the effective coverage area available to personnel in the field, reducing mobility and placing practical constraints on connectivity during emergency operations.
There is therefore a need for practical, deployable antenna solutions that can significantly improve Wi-Fi coverage while remaining compatible with existing VaaN systems and suitable for rugged, field-based deployment.
Project leads:
A/Professor Peiyuan Qin – University of Technology Sydney
Dr Lizhao Song – University of Technology Sydney
Industry collaborator
WANFi Technology
Total Funding:
$60,000
Project duration:
3 months
Project status:
In progress
The Solution: A Novel Omnidirectional Wi-Fi Antenna for VaaN Deployments
Through CIN’s Vehicle-as-a-Node Antenna Development Call for Proposals, a project led by Associate Professor Peiyuan Qin and Dr Lizhao Song from University of Technology Sydney was selected to develop an improved Wi-Fi antenna solution for existing VaaN systems used by emergency service organisations.
The project focuses on the development of a novel low-cost omnidirectional (360°) Wi-Fi antenna designed to significantly extend Wi-Fi coverage around VaaN-equipped vehicles, supporting more reliable connectivity for first responders operating in challenging environments.
The proposed solution consists of three low-complexity and easy-to-fabricate 2D antenna arrays designed to provide omnidirectional horizontal coverage together with a narrow vertical beam. The modular nature of the design provides flexibility for vehicle-mounted deployment, particularly in environments where installation space is limited.
The project also explores adjustable antenna height configurations to further improve coverage performance when vehicles are stationary.
Innovation, Novelty and Key Features
The selected project focuses on developing a practical and retrofit-ready antenna solution that enhances the performance of existing Vehicle-as-a-Node systems without requiring wholesale replacement of deployed infrastructure.
Key features of the proposed solution include:
- Novel low-cost omnidirectional (360°) Wi-Fi antenna design
- Three modular 2D antenna arrays designed for improved coverage performance
- Low-complexity and easy-to-fabricate architecture
- Retrofit-ready approach compatible with existing VaaN systems
- Vehicle-mounted design suitable for rugged, field-based deployment
- Flexible antenna mounting configurations for constrained installation environments
- Adjustable antenna height capability to support improved coverage when stationary
The modular antenna architecture is designed to support practical deployment in real-world emergency response environments, balancing improved coverage performance with low-complexity fabrication and vehicle integration requirements.
Applications
The improved VaaN antenna technology is intended to support emergency service organisations operating in environments where traditional communications infrastructure may be unavailable or unreliable.
Potential application areas include:
- Bushfire response
- Flood response and recovery operations
- Land rescue operations
- Regional and remote emergency deployments
- Disaster-affected environments
- Temporary field operations requiring extended local connectivity
- Law enforcement
By extending Wi-Fi coverage around VaaN-equipped vehicles, the technology aims to provide first responders with greater freedom of movement and more reliable access to communications systems during emergency operations.
What’s Next?
The project team is now advancing the antenna solution towards a planned live demonstration in mid-2026, where the technology will be tested in a practical deployment environment.
Further updates will be shared through CIN’s communication channels as the project progresses. Follow CIN on LinkedIn and subscribe to the CIN newsletter to stay up to date with future developments and demonstration outcomes.
Final presentation:
Mid 2026
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