An Accurate UTD Model for the Analysis of Complex Indoor Radio Environments in Microwave WLAN Systems

Abstract

An accurate uniform theory of diffraction (UTD) model for the analysis of complex indoor radio environments, in which microwave WLAN systems operate, is presented. The model employs a heuristic UTD coefficient suitable to take into account the effects of building floors, walls, windows, and the presence of metallic and penetrable furniture. A numerical tool based on an enhanced tridimensional beam-tracing algorithm, which includes diffraction phenomena, has been developed to compute the field distribution with a high degree of accuracy. After the validation of the model, obtained by means of some comparisons with measurements available in literature, an accurate electromagnetic characterization of typical indoor environments has been performed. The numerical results show that the electromagnetic field distribution and the channel performances are significantly influenced by the diffraction processes arising from the presence of furniture.