Radio frequency antenna and system for presence sensing and monitoring

An access system allowing a user to access a restricted area using a wireless user device, the system comprising:

• a database storing access permissions identifying at least one wireless user device authorized to access said restricted area and at least one access node authorized to permit access to said restricted area, wherein the at least one wireless user device includes a cellular radio for communicating with one or more cellular towers;
• the access node, having
• a first short-range wireless radio using a wireless networking standard for receiving a wireless access request directly from said wireless user device;
• and
• a second short-range wireless radio using a wireless networking standard to transmit a request directly to a server to track movement of a user throughout the restricted area in response to receiving a request from said wireless user device;
• a server operable to send and receive an unlock request to a restricted area associated with a wireless user device and said access node and transmit a request to said access node or an access governor upon authorizing said request using said database,
• wherein said unlock request is authorized only if received from an access node authorized to permit access to said restricted area and originated from a wireless user device authorized to access said restricted area;
• the access governor securing the restricted area, said access governor having a short-range wireless receiver suitable for receiving an authorized unlock request and responding by allowing the user access to the restricted area, wherein said unlock request includes user information linked to said restricted area and is based upon information received by the wireless user device from the access node which is linked to the current location of the wireless user device.