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Computerized indoor radio channel estimation using ray tracing

Estimation du canal radio intérieur à l’aide de techniques de tracé de rayons

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Abstract

This paper describes a computer tool for site specific indoor radio channel characterization. The behavior of the electromagnetic fields associated with a base station and a portable radio unit is simulated by combining approximate geometric optics and ray tracing techniques. Given a building plan and the transmitter/receiver locations, the set of all[attenuation / time delay /phase] vectors, each representing an electromagnetic propagation path between transmitter and receiver, is computed using ray shooting techniques to generate the channel wideband impulse response. The model takes into account specular reflection and transmission. Linear polarization and various antenna patterns can be simulated as well. The simulated results are shown to correlate well with experimental data. The computer tool can be used to provide estimates of the coverage of a base station and of the channel quality.

Résumé

Cet article présente un outil informatique pour la caractérisation point par point du canal radio à l’inté rieur de bâtiments. Le comportement des champs électromagnétiques entre une station de base et un terminal mobile est simulé à l’aide d’une approximation d’optique géométrique combinée avec des techniques d’infographie. A partir d’un plan de bâtiment et des positions de l’émetteur et du récepteur, l’ensemble de tous les vecteurs[atténuation, délai, phase], chacun identifiant un trajet de propagation des ondes, est calculé en utilisant des techniques de tracé de rayons afin de produire la réponse impulsionnelle du canal à large bande. Le modèle prend en compte les réflexions spéculaires et les transmissions. Une polarisation rectiligne et l’effet de divers diagrammes d’antennes directionnelles peuvent être également simulés. Il est montré que les prédictions correspondent bien avec les mesures. Ces données permettent d’obtenir une estimation de la couverture de stations de base émettrices et de la qualité du canal radiomobile.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical Engineering, McGill University, H3A 2A7, Montréal, Québec, Canada

    Marc Kimpe & Harry Leib

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  1. Marc Kimpe
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  2. Harry Leib
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Additional information

Part of this work was presented at the 2nd International Conference on Universal Personal Communications, Ottawa, Canada, October 1993.

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Kimpe, M., Leib, H. Computerized indoor radio channel estimation using ray tracing. Ann. Télécommun. 52, 251–263 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02996068

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