CSE574-16-04A: Introduction to Wireless Signal Propagation (Part 1 of 2)

Transcript:
Overview:
o This lecture focuses on the medium through which bits travel, specifically the wireless
medium.
o Key terms include reflection, diffraction, scattering, fading, shadowing, multipath, and
rational zones.
o While these concepts are typically explored in detail in a wireless communication course,
this discussion provides an overview relevant to networking to aid protocol design.

Wireless Radio Channel

We aim to understand how the physical and environmental factors of a wireless channel affect the
transmitted signal.
1- Wireless Medium Challenges:
o Distance and Frequency Dependence:
▪ Signal loss is influenced by the distance between the sender and receiver and the
frequency of the signal.
o Intervening Obstructions (Shadowing):
▪ Obstacles along the signal path can block or weaken signals.
o Frequency Dispersion and Motion:
▪ Doppler spread occurs due to motion, leading to changes in signal frequency.
o Interference:
▪ Noise can originate from environmental factors (e.g., appliances, lights).
▪ Interference happens when multiple signals overlap, such as two people talking
simultaneously.
o Multipath Effects:
▪ Signals may take multiple paths to reach the receiver due to reflection, resulting in
echoes and interference.
o Inter-Symbol Interference (ISI):
▪ Overlapping of successive bits can cause distortion. For example, as bits travel,
they may spread out and collide, disrupting the signal clarity.
2- Key Takeaways:
 o Understanding the behavior of the wireless medium is essential for effective protocol
design.
o Factors such as signal loss, shadowing, multipath, and interference must be considered to
ensure reliable communication.
o Concepts discussed form the foundation for addressing challenges in wireless networking.
This topic serves as an introduction to the complexities of the wireless medium, highlighting the interplay
of physical and environmental factors in signal transmission.

Antenna
1. Definition and Function of Antennas:
o Antennas convert electrical signals to electromagnetic waves for transmission and vice
versa for reception.
o In modern devices, antennas are often hidden, unlike older systems with visible antennas
on cars and computers.
o A single antenna can handle both transmission and reception, eliminating the need for
separate components.
2. Types of Antennas:
o Omnidirectional Antennas:
▪ Distribute energy uniformly in all directions (360 degrees), typically forming a
spherical radiation pattern.
o Directional Antennas:
▪ Concentrate energy in a specific direction, making them efficient for targeted
communication by reducing wasted energy.
3. Antenna Characteristics:
o Isotropic Antennas:
▪ Hypothetical antennas that radiate energy equally in all directions; used as a
reference for comparing real antennas.
o Antenna Gain:
▪ The increase in power compared to an isotropic antenna. Measured in decibels
(dB), typical values include 3 dB, 5 dB, or 9 dB.
▪ Higher gain results in stronger signals, whether on the transmitting or receiving
end.
4. Power Calculation:
o Formula:
 𝜆 2
▪ 𝑃𝑟 = 𝑃𝑡 𝐺𝑡 𝐺𝑟 (4 𝜋 𝑑)

▪ 𝑃𝑟 : Power received; 𝑃𝑡 : Power transmitted; 𝐺𝑡 and 𝐺𝑟 : Gains of transmitting and

receiving antennas; 𝜆: Wavelength; 𝑑: Distance.
o Gain improves the power output, and power values are often converted to dB for easier
calculations using addition instead of multiplication.
5. Directional vs. Isotropic Radiation:
o Directional antennas focus power horizontally or in a specific direction, while isotropic
antennas radiate equally in all directions.
o Power levels vary based on location relative to the antenna.
6. Practical Considerations:
o Power ratings depend on the antenna’s directionality and location.
o Environmental factors (e.g., obstacles or multiple receivers) affect signal strength.
This slide provides a foundational understanding of antennas, their operation, and their impact on wireless
communication efficiency.

Reflection, Diffraction, Scattering

1. Signal Propagation Modes:
o Reflection:
▪ Occurs when a signal hits a large surface, such as a building or wall.
▪ The signal changes direction and undergoes a phase shift.
o Scattering:
▪ Happens when a signal encounters small, thin objects like a lamppost.
▪ The signal is dispersed in multiple directions.
o Diffraction:
▪ Occurs when a signal encounters an edge or a large obstacle relative to its
wavelength.
▪ The signal bends around the object, allowing reception even without a clear line of
sight.
2. Characteristics of Propagation:
o Signals received from reflection, scattering, and diffraction arrive with different phases and
magnitudes.
 o Scattered signals are more dispersed, while reflected signals follow predictable angles
based on high school physics principles.
o Diffracted signals enable reception in non-line-of-sight scenarios by bending around edges
or obstacles.
3. Impact of Wavelength:
o The interaction between a signal and an object (thin or thick) depends on the wavelength
of the signal.
o Reflected signals may interfere constructively or destructively due to phase shifts,
potentially amplifying or canceling the original signal.
4. Reception Scenarios:
o In a line-of-sight (LOS) situation, direct signals dominate, and effects of reflection,
scattering, and diffraction are minimal.
o In a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) scenario, diffraction and scattering become primary
mechanisms for receiving the signal.
This slide highlights the basic phenomena of signal propagation in wireless communication, emphasizing
the role of reflection, scattering, and diffraction in signal behavior. Understanding these principles helps in
designing robust communication systems for various environments.
Channel Model
Now, we primarily focus on key concepts in wireless communications, particularly channel modeling,
signal propagation, and antenna gain. Below is a summary:
1. Channel Modeling:
o A channel represents the medium between a transmitter and receiver.
o Signal propagation through a channel involves mathematical modeling using convolution
(in time domains).
o Time domain: The received signal 𝑦(𝑡) is expressed as ℎ(𝑡) ∗ 𝑥(𝑡) + 𝑛(𝑡), where:
▪ ℎ(𝑡): Channel response.
▪ 𝑥(𝑡): Transmitted signal.
▪ 𝑛(𝑡): Noise.
o Frequency domain: The received signal 𝑌(𝑓) is expressed as 𝐻(𝑓)𝑋(𝑓) + 𝑁(𝑓) where:
▪ 𝐻(𝑓): Channel response.
▪ 𝑋(𝑓): Transmitted signal.
▪ 𝑁(𝑓): Noise (varies with frequency).
 2. Signal Attenuation:
o As frequency increases, attenuation increases due to reduced received power.
o High frequencies (e.g., GHz and THz) suffer greater losses, which explains the historical
progression from lower to higher frequency bands (e.g., HF, UHF, VHF).
3. Antenna Gain and Power Distribution:
o Transmitted power spreads over a spherical area (4𝜋𝑑2 ).
o Receiver power depends on receiver area and antenna gain (𝐺𝑟 ).
o Friis' Law links received power to transmitted power, frequency, and distance.
4. Multipath Propagation:
o Signals reflect off various surfaces, creating multiple paths (multipath).
o Reflections introduce delays and phase changes, resulting in:
▪ Delay Spread: Time difference between the first and last received signal versions.
▪ Dispersion: Signals widen in time, causing overlapping and reduced clarity.
5. Fading:
o Variations in amplitude, phase, or delay due to multipath propagation.
o Constructive and destructive interference can amplify or attenuate the signal.
6. Power-Law Path Loss:
o Signal power decreases as 𝑑−𝑛 , where 𝑛 depends on the environment (e.g., 𝑛 = 4 for
typical urban scenarios).
Key Takeaways:
• Understanding channel modeling, signal attenuation, and multipath effects is essential for wireless
communication systems.
• Higher frequencies face greater challenges due to attenuation and dispersion.
• Multipath propagation impacts signal quality, requiring careful consideration in system design.
• Knowledge of these principles is foundational for research or collaboration in wireless
communication.
Fresnel Zones
• What Are Fresnel Zones?
Fresnel Zones are ellipsoidal regions of space between a transmitter (Base Station, BS) and a
receiver (Mobile Station, MS). They help describe the impact of obstacles on the radio waves
traveling between these two points. The concept is vital in understanding how obstructions and
multipath propagation affect wireless communication.
• Key Features of Fresnel Zones:
1. Ellipsoid Shape:
▪ An ellipsoid is formed where BS and MS are the foci.
▪ All points on the ellipsoid maintain an equal total path length from BS to MS.
2. Run Length Formula:
▪ For the 𝑖th Fresnel Zone:
𝜆
Run length=LoS (Line of Sight) +𝑖 ⋅ 2,
where 𝑖 is an integer representing the zone number, and 𝜆 is the wavelength of
the signal.
▪ As 𝑖 increases, subsequent ellipsoids are formed further from the line of sight.
3. Phase Shift:
▪ At each Fresnel ellipsoid, a phase shift of 𝑖𝜋 occurs.
▪ This shift results in constructive or destructive interference depending on the
alignment of signals.
• Radius of the 𝒊th Ellipsoid:
o The radius of a Fresnel Zone at a point 𝑑𝑇 (distance from the transmitter) and 𝑑𝑅
(distance from the receiver) is calculated using the Fresnel formula.
o This radius determines the "clearance" needed to avoid signal obstruction.

• Free Space 𝒅𝟐 Law:

o Up to the point where the first Fresnel ellipsoid touches the ground, the free space
propagation law (𝑑2 ) governs signal behavior.
o Beyond this distance, diffraction and reflection effects significantly influence signal
strength.