Rafael P. Torres

CINDOOR: an engineering tool for planning and design of wireless systems in enclosed spaces

This paper presents the program CINDOOR. This program is an engineering tool for aiding in the design, planning, and effective implementation of wireless systems in general enclosed spaces. The method underlying CINDOOR is a flexible approach to the propagation process, allowing analysis of indoor and outdoor environments and the interaction between them. The method is based on a full three-dimensional implementation of GO/UTD. Ray tracing is efficiently carried out by combining image theory with binary space partitioning algorithms. The space-time distribution of the electromagnetic field is processed to obtain a set of magnitudes that form a basis for planning a wireless system: coverage (mean power), fading statistics, power delay profile and associated parameters, such as the rms delay spread and the coherent bandwidth.

New channel impulse response model for UWB indoor system simulations

This paper provides the description and results of a recently developed statistical UWB multipath channel model. A new set of statistical parameters has been defined and obtained from a large measurement campaign process. The parameter values, a detailed model description and final results, are covered in this contribution.

Computation of the RCS of complex bodies modeled using NURBS surfaces

The paper presents the RANURS code (radar cross section-NURBS surfaces) for the analysis of the monostatic radar cross section (RCS) of electrically large complex targets. The geometric representation of the targets is given in terms of parametric surfaces, which allow an excellent fit between the model and the real surface. The parametric surfaces used are NURBS (non-uniform rational B-spline) surfaces. This technique of modeling is used in many industries to represent complex bodies. Most of the CAGD (computer aided geometric design) tools use the NURBS format for modeling, because it can represent complicated objects using limited information. Therefore, an important feature of the code is its compatibility with most of the available CAGD codes, in order to ensure that the entire design process, involving different engineering aspects (structural, mechanical, aerodynamical, electrical, etc.) can be developed with compatible models. The scattered fields are calculated by using the physical optics and the equivalent currents methods (PO+ECM). The following contributions to the RCS are taken into account: reflected field, diffracted field, double-reflected field, and diffracted-reflected field. In addition, a method for determining the hidden parts of the targets is used. The PO+ECM approach is directly applied on the parametric surfaces, and the final expressions of the fields are given as functions of the coefficients of the numerical description of the NURBS patches.

Accuracy analysis of GO/UTD radio-channel modeling in indoor scenarios at 1.8 and 2.5 GHz

Ray-tracing techniques have been widely used as simulation tools for the design and planning of wireless systems, both in urban microcells and in indoor picocells, due to the site-specific nature of those environments. However, the value of such tools depends on the accuracy of the predictions when compared to measurements in real-world propagation environments. In this paper, the accuracy of a ray-tracing technique based on a full three-dimensional implementation of GO/UTD is analyzed, by comparison between measurements and simulations carried out for different indoor wireless-propagation environments and in different frequency bands. The narrowband analysis shows that both the mean level of the received signal and the statistical behavior of its variations about the mean can be accurately estimated. In the wideband analysis, the comparison between measured and simulated power-delay profiles shows that both the amplitude and arrival times of the main multipath components can be well predicted. The statistical distributions of the measured and simulated wideband parameters are also compared, showing good agreement.

An accurate and efficient method based on ray-tracing for the prediction of local flat-fading statistics in picocell radio channels

Ray-tracing techniques have proven to be very useful for the analysis and design of wireless systems both in urban microcells and in indoor picocells. At present, the optimization of these techniques enables not only the signal mean level but also the local statistics to be estimated accurately, which is of great practical importance. A wide range of comparisons between measurements and simulations confirming this have been carried out by the authors, and some examples are presented. The most interesting contribution of this paper is that starting from the signal information at one single point, obtained using ray-tracing techniques, it is possible to estimate the signal statistics in a local area of that point. This possibility substantially reduces the local statistics calculation time, confirming the idea that an efficient site specific channel model might be feasible. Finally, it is also shown that ray-tracing techniques are able to accurately estimate the first- and second-order statistics in those environments where the Clarke (1968) or isotropic scattering model is not applicable.

Indoor MIMO Channel Modeling by Rigorous GO/UTD-Based Ray Tracing

This paper presents a multiple-input-multiple- output (MIMO) channel model based on rigorous ray-tracing techniques, which is based on a full 3-D implementation of geometric optics and the uniform theory of diffraction (3-D GO/ UTD). Results obtained from measurements and simulations of the correlation matrix and capacity of a 2 times 2 MIMO system in specific indoor environments at a frequency of 2 GHz are presented. The channel capacity has been calculated for the different local areas considered in open- and office-area scenarios, starting from the measurements carried out there, as well as from the ray-tracing simulated channels. The rigorous and quantitative comparison between measurements and simulations shows that the model accuracy is sufficient for the analysis and design of the different aspects of the full MIMO system. The results from the ray-tracing model can also be used to extract general statistical characteristics and parameterize statistical models for different types of environments, without the need to carry out large and costly measurement campaigns. In addition, the measured data are used to study the impact of the channel on the achievable capacity of a 2 times 2 MIMO system in typical indoor scenarios at 2 GHz.

Empirical analysis of a 2 x 2 MIMO channel in outdoor-indoor scenarios for BFWA applications

The unquestionable advantages of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems are having a strong influence on the development of new wireless systems, both in wireless local-area networks (WLANs), and in those designed to offer broadband fixed wireless access (BFWA) services in wireless metropolitan-area networks (WMANs). The MIMO channel characterization in different environments and for different operating frequency bands is a crucial factor in the design of new systems and standards, and for adequate planning of existing systems. This article makes two main contributions. First, the experimental characterization of a 2 times 2 MIMO channel at a frequency of 2.4 GHz in a canonical outdoor-indoor scenario is presented. The channel characterization performed includes the analysis of the spatial correlation between the MIMO system subchannels and its impact on the channel capacity. Second, on the basis of the capacity results obtained, a proposal is made for the use of a 2 times 2 MIMO system in outdoor-indoor scenarios for BFWA applications in metropolitan environments. The proposal is based on the experimentally verified hypothesis that the path loss due to building penetration can be practically compensated for by the diversity gain of 2 times 2 systems

Channel modeling and characterization at 17 GHz for indoor broadband WLAN

This paper provides the results of a complete study about the indoor radio propagation channel at 17 GHz. Wideband parameters, as coherence bandwidth or rms delay spread, and coverage are analyzed for the design of an OFDM-based broadband WLAN. A discussion of some adequate system parameters is also included. The report presents the characterization results as well as a previously developed indoor channel model; both of them have been checked and compared to bibliography results in order to verify their reliability.

Measurement and Statistical Analysis of the Temporal Variations of a Fixed Wireless Link at 3.5 GHz

This paper presents the measurement and statistical analysis of the temporal variations of the radio channel defined by a fixed link at 3.5 GHz in suburban areas. The analysis provides the required information about the temporal stability of the channel, the probability of occurrence and depth of fades, the Doppler spectrum and, in general, the influence of the environment on the signal behaviour. In particular, the effect of fast traffic on a motorway in the neighbourhood of the receiver is investigated, obtaining some general conclusions particularly useful in wireless communication systems design.

Ultra wideband channel model for indoor environments

This paper presents an in-depth study of a UWB indoor radio channel between 1 and 9 GHz, which was used for the subsequent development of a new statistical UWB multipath channel model, focusing on short range indoor scenarios. The channel sounding process was carried out covering different indoor environments, such as laboratories, halls or corridors. A combination of new and traditional parameters has been used to accurately model the channel impulse response in order to perform a precise temporal estimation of the received pulse shape. This model is designed specifically for UWB digital systems, where the received pulse is correlated with an estimated replica of itself. The precision of the model has been verified through the comparison with measured data from equivalent scenarios and cases, and highly satisfactory results were obtained.