Ultra Wideband Characterization of Through-Wall Propagation Using Transmission and Reflection Measurements

An interesting property of ultra wideband signals is their ability to penetrate walls and obstacles which comes as a result of their lower frequency content. As the signal propagates through these obstacles, it gets attenuated, slows down, and gets dispersed. This work presents frequency-domain transmission and reflection measurements using a Vector Network Analyzer over a frequency range of 1–18 GHz to characterize wave propagation through various building walls. This is done by measuring the insertion transfer function defined as the ratio of two signals measured in presence and absence of the wall. The dielectric constant and propagation loss are extracted from the measured insertion transfer function. The work considers typical indoor walls like glass, wood, and gypsum. Double layer walls and three layer walls are also investigated. Results from transmission and reflection measurements are relatively in good agreement with each other and with literature. The results of this work are very useful in through-wall imaging and tracking application to correct the position and focus the images.

[1]  T. Kurner,et al.  The Impact of Reflections From Stratified Building Materials on the Wave Propagation in Future Indoor Terahertz Communication Systems , 2008, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[2]  Vladimir Schejbal,et al.  UWB through-wall propagation measurements , 2006, 2006 First European Conference on Antennas and Propagation.

[3]  Joerg Schoebel,et al.  Reflection and Transmission Properties of Building Materials in W-band , 2007 .

[4]  Iñigo Cuiñas,et al.  Measuring, modeling, and characterizing of indoor radio channel at 5.8 GHz , 2001, IEEE Trans. Veh. Technol..

[5]  Yazhou Wang,et al.  Three-dimensional through wall imaging using an UWB SAR , 2010, 2010 IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium.

[6]  Chien-Ching Chiu,et al.  Channel capacity for various materials of partitions in indoor ultra wideband communication system with multiple input multiple output , 2007, 2007 3rd IEEE/IFIP International Conference in Central Asia on Internet.

[7]  A. Safaai-Jazi,et al.  UWB applications for through-wall detection , 2004, IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society Symposium, 2004..

[8]  S. Singh,et al.  Using UWB Radios as Sensors for Disaster Recovery , 2007, 2007 IEEE International Conference on Ultra-Wideband.

[9]  F. Sagnard,et al.  In situ characterization of building materials for propagation modeling: frequency and time responses , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[10]  Henry L. Bertoni,et al.  Radio Propagation for Modern Wireless Systems , 1999 .

[11]  A.E. Fathy,et al.  Development and Implementation of Ultra-Wideband See-Through-Wall Imaging System Based on Sampling Oscilloscope , 2008, IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters.

[12]  A. Muqaibel,et al.  A new formulation for characterization of materials based on measured insertion transfer function , 2003 .

[13]  R. Knochel,et al.  Characterisation of dielectric obstacles using ultra-wideband techniques , 2005, 2005 European Microwave Conference.

[14]  A. Priou,et al.  Free-Space Electromagnetic Characterization of Materials for Microwave and Radar Applications , 2005 .

[15]  Sedki M. Riad,et al.  Ultrawideband through-the-wall propagation , 2005 .

[16]  W.T.E. Vaessen,et al.  RF Shielding Due to Building Structures Like Brick Walls, Wire Grids and Metal Coated Windows , 1988, 1988 18th European Microwave Conference.

[17]  M. Fardis,et al.  Modeling of ultra wideband transmission through building walls , 2008, 2008 International Conference on Microwave and Millimeter Wave Technology.

[18]  P. Pajusco,et al.  Determination of Material Characteristics for Optimizing WLAN Radio , 2007, 2007 European Conference on Wireless Technologies.

[19]  Vladimir Schejbal,et al.  UWB Propagation through Walls , 2006 .