Rodolphe Vauzelle

Outdoor and indoor channel characterization by a 3D simulation software

This paper presents a 3D simulation software of radiowave propagation for mobile systems in outdoor and indoor environments. The software allows us to predict the coverage zone of a base station and the behaviour of the transmission channel. After a brief recall of the radio channel characteristics for narrowband and wideband signals, the theoretical basis of our model and applications are described. Different results provided by our software are proposed : the evolution of the received power on a mobile route, the delay spread and the correlation bandwidth. To evaluate the capability of our software for the prediction of the previous parameters, measurements in outdoor and indoor environments are considered as a reference.

Radio Wave Propagation in Arched Cross Section Tunnels – Simulations and Measurements

For several years, wireless communication systems have been developed for train to infrastructure communication needs related to railway or mass transit applications. The systems should be able to operate in specific environments, such as tunnels. In this context, specific radio planning tools have to be developed to optimize system deployment. Realistic tunnels geometries are generally of rectangular cross section or arch-shaped. Furthermore, they are mostly curved. In order to calculate electromagnetic wave propagation in such tunnels, specific models have to be developed. Several works have dealt with retransmission of GSM or UMTS. Few theoretical or experimental works have focused on 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz bands. In this paper, we propose an approach to model radio wave propagation in these frequency bands in straight arch-shaped tunnels using tessellation in multi-facets. The model is based on a Ray Tracing tool using the image method. The work reported in this paper shows the propagation loss variations according to the shape of tunnels. A parametric study on the facets size to model the cross section is conducted. The influence of tunnel dimensions and signal frequency is examined. Finally, some measurement results in a straight arch-shaped tunnel are presented and analyzed in terms of slow and fast fading.

An enhanced AODV protocol for VANETs with realistic radio propagation model validation

In this paper we evaluate V-AODV a version of AODV (Ad-hoc On-demand Distance Vector) especially created for Vehicular Ad-hoc NETworks (VANETs). V-AODV is designed to run with a complex cross layered metric based on both delay from node to node and Bit Error Rate (BER) coming from the physical layer. We conducted simulations with the NS2 simulator taking in account a realistic environment tool called Communication Ray Tracer (CRT). Our results show that the basic propagation models usually in use with NS2 are not suitable for VANETs simulations. We also show that when using a routing metric based on delay and BER, the first parameter is more relevant in terms of QoS than the second one.

Impacts of impulsive noise from partial discharges on wireless systems performance: application to MIMO precoders

To satisfy the smart grid electrical network, communication systems in high-voltage substations have to be installed in order to control equipments. Considering that those substations were not necessarily designed for adding communication networks, one of the most appropriate solutions is to use wireless sensor network (WSN). However, the high voltage transported through the station generates a strong and specific radio noise. In order to prepare for such a network, the electromagnetic environment has to be characterized and tests in laboratories have to be performed to estimate the communication performances. This paper presents a method for measuring the noise due to high voltage and more particularly the impulsive noise. In the laboratory, we generate the impulsive noise using two specimens, and we show that these laboratory measurements validate the field measurements of Pakala et al. For the two specimens, it aims to link the noise characteristics (magnitude and frequency) with the specimen parameters (power supply and geometric dimensions) to predict the environments where wireless communications can be troublesome. By using different sets of this measured noise, we show that the statistical model of Middleton Class A can be used to model the impulsive noise in high-voltage substations better than the Gaussian model. We consider a cooperative multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) system to achieve the wireless sensor communication. This system uses recent MIMO techniques based on precoding like max-dmin and P-OSM precoders. The MIMO precoder-based cooperative system is a potential candidate for energy saving in WSN since energy efficiency optimization is a very important critical issue. Since MIMO precoders are with Gaussian noise assumption, we evaluate the performance of several MIMO precoders in the presence of impulsive noise using estimated parameters from the measured noise.

Radio wave propagation in curved rectangular tunnels at 5.8 GHz for metro applications

The need for wireless communication systems is increasing in the transport domain. These systems have to be operational in every type of environment and particularly tunnels for metro applications. These ones can have rectangular, circular or arch-shaped cross section. Furthermore, they can be straight or curved. This paper presents a new method to model the radio wave propagation in straight tunnels with an arch-shaped cross section and in curved tunnels with a rectangular cross section. The method is based on a Ray Launching technique combining the computation of intersection with curved surfaces, an original optimization of paths, a reception sphere, an IMR technique and a last criterion of paths validity. Results obtained with our method are confronted to results of literature in a straight arch-shaped tunnel. Then, comparisons with measurements at 5.8 GHz are performed in a curved rectangular tunnel.

Impact of realistic MIMO physical layer on video transmission over mobile Ad Hoc network

In this paper we investigate the impact of a realistic physical layer on the H.264/AVC video transmission over Ad Hoc networks in urban environment. We propose a realistic Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) physical layer which combines a determinist propagation model and a fine-grained model of wireless transmission errors. The determinist propagation model takes into account all the environmental characteristics (geometric and electric) and provides all the information of the multi-path channel (received power, complex impulse response). The wireless transmission errors model is based on a BER computation. The BER is calculated according to 802.11n standard to evaluate MIMO wireless links and, then, is compared to both SISO configuration and an existing wireless errors model using empirical propagation models. In the case of a SISO configuration, the BER is computed according to 802.11a standard. The simulation results show clearly a significant difference in term of QoS for the video transmission using realistic and empirical physical layer. In addition, the MIMO system, compared to a SISO one, improves the quality of links in the network and, thus, provides a better QoS for video transmission over Ad Hoc networks.

Ultra-Wideband Indoor Channel Modelling Using Ray-Tracing Software for through-the-Wall Imaging Radar

This paper presents a new software for design of through-the-wall imaging radars. The first part describes the evolution of a ray tracing simulator, originally designed for propagation of narrowband signals, and then for ultra-wideband signals. This simulator allows to obtain temporal channel response to a wide-band emitter (3 GHz to 10 GHz). An experimental method is also described to identify the propagation paths. Simulation results are compared to propagation experiments under the same conditions. Different configurations are tested and then discussed. Finally, a configuration of through-the-wall imaging radar is proposed, with different antennas patterns and different targets. Simulated images will be helpful for understanding the experiment obtained images.

Deterministic propagation model influence on a wireless digital transmission simulation in real environment

The purpose of This work is to describe the results of a CDMA digital transmission simulation in terms of quality, based on deterministic modeling of the propagation channel. This modeling allows a fast computation of the channel power delay profile (PDP), which is the common input of a digital transmission system. Thus, the harmful impact of the channel is shown under the original form of bit error rate (BER) maps. Such a representation becomes possible because of our propagation model efficiency, particularly compared to a ray tracing one. These maps represent a part of the Poitiers University in France.

A Semi-Deterministic Channel Model for VANETs Simulations

Todays advanced simulators facilitate thorough studies on Vehicular Ad hoc NETworks (VANETs). However the choice of the physical layer model in such simulators is a crucial issue that impacts the results. A solution to this challenge might be found with a hybrid model. In this paper, we propose a semi-deterministic channel propagation model for VANETs called UM-CRT. It is based on CRT (Communication Ray Tracer) and SCME—UM (Spatial Channel Model Extended—Urban Micro) which are, respectively, a deterministic channel simulator and a statistical channel model. It uses a process which adjusts the statistical model using relevant parameters obtained from the deterministic simulator. To evaluate realistic VANET transmissions, we have integrated our hybrid model in fully compliant 802.11 p and 802.11 n physical layers. This framework is then used with the NS-2 network simulator. Our simulation results show that UM-CRT is adapted for VANETs simulations in urban areas as it gives a good approximation of realistic channel propagation mechanisms while improving significantly simulation time.

AODV enhancements in a realistic VANET context

Ad hoc On demand Distance Vector (AODV) is a commonly used routing protocol for Vehicular Ad hoc NETworks (VANET). This paper presents and analyzes several AODV enhancements propositions dedicated to the VANET context. Communication protocol tuning can yield significant gains in energy efficiency, resource requirement, and overall network performance, all of which is of particular importance in VANETs. Alternatively, multipath routing allows the establishment of multiple paths between a pair of source and destination nodes in mobile ad hoc networks. It has recently received more and more attention and is typically proposed to increase the reliability of data transmission. This paper shows how AODV tuning and multipath routing behave under realistic VANET simulations.