Outdoor environmental monitoring will be used to enhance future BMS performance, from video surveillance
applications and security (UWB wireless sensors), to monitors to respond to cold snaps, daylight monitor-
ing, etc (typically using narrowband ISM sensors). However, the modern buildings also have a strong heat
control requirement, realised using metal-coated insulation in the cavity or building cladding and also using
metal oxide coating on the inner leaf of double glazed windows. The latter has excellent reflection properties
(bi-directional) for electromagnetic wavelengths from Infra Red upwards, which has significant consequences
for communications (reflecting typically more than 90%), but means shorter wavelength radiation (especially
the visible spectrum), passes relatively well. This work presents measurements at frequencies relevant to ISM
band and UWB wireless sensors and highlights the significant losses incurred in communicating to or from
an external sensor. We were recently funded (TSR Strand 1) to carry out further work to examine means of
improving wireless penetration into energy efficient buildings.
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