Comparative indoor RF channel soundings at 2, 5 & 17 GHz

Abstract

There is a relatively large selection of results for indoor channel soundings at frequencies around 1 to 2 GHz but relatively few at the HIPERLAN frequencies of 5 and 17 GHz. This work provides some results taken at all three frequencies in order to redress this deficiency and also to compare results at these frequencies. A 20 GHz network analyser was used to perform the soundings. The analyser was capable of performing the Chirp Z transform to convert complex frequency response data to the time domain. Soundings were made in the Agency's office headquarters at Waterloo London and in their investigation facility at Whyteleafe. These two locations provided some diversity of sounding environments involving small offices, meeting rooms and large laboratories. Both buildings were of a 1930's style brick construction with some modern plaster board internal walls. Decay exponents and delay spreads are given for the test frequencies. Results show similar delay spreads at all frequencies.