RF propagation investigations at 915/2400MHz in indoor corridor environments for wire-less sensor communications

Abstract

Propagation of Radio Frequency (RF) waves in indoor corridors is very complex and diverse as the propagation effects in the indoor scenarios are those that change over fractions of wavelength. Therefore, understanding of RF propagation characteristics is vital for the design of air interface and estimation of propagation losses is very much needed especially for wireless networks such as randomly deplorable Wireless Sensor Communications. In this research work, short-range, near floor/ground RF propagation path loss measurements at low antenna heights of 2 cm and 50 cm from the floor were made in typical narrow and wide straight indoor corridors at 915/2400MHz in a modern multi-storied building utilizing RF equipment. Comparisons between measured and simulated path loss values were made utilizing Matlab simulations of Ray-tracing technique, free space and ITU-R models. Mean path loss exponent values were deduced from the measured data. The research work reported in this paper is predominately geared towards characterizing radio link for Wireless Sensor Communications/Networks in typical indoor corridor environments.