Characterization of in-building UHF wireless radio communication channels using spectral energy measurements

A simple, cost-effective means is developed to estimate the time-invariant wireless radio channel impulse response h(t) using only the magnitude of the channel transfer function, H(jw). The Hilbert transform is used to calculate the phase of H(jw) from its magnitude. Inverse discrete Fourier transformation (IDFT) of H(jw) yields h(t). The Hilbert transform relation is applicable provided H(jw) is a minimum phase transfer function. An experimental in-building wireless channel testbed was established, for which h(t) was determined over the 1000-2500 MHz range. Both line of sight (LOS) and non-LOS transmission was investigated. Good agreement was observed between values of h(t) calculated from measured values of H(jw) and from those based only on [H(jw)] and its Hilbert transform. Even when the minimum phase condition is violated, h(t) as calculated from [H(jw)] and its Hilbert transform provides a useful lower bound on the time-spread of h(t). The measurement of [H(jw)] is easily implemented using a signal source, receiving antenna, and spectrum analyzer. A personal computer and software are required to calculate the phase of H(jw) and its IDTF. Existing frequency-domain measurement schemes utilize a vector network analyzer to measure H(jw) (magnitude and phase angle). Such equipment is expensive, subject to transmitter-receiver crosstalk, and restrictive as to the relative locations of the transmitting and receiving antenna.