Wireless Sensors, Sensing Wireless (WSSW) for the Characterization of Multipath Fading

This work demonstrates the use of wireless sensor nodes to monitor time- and frequency-selective channel fading in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. Four distinct channel conditions are considered: (1) a static node experiencing little to no fade, (2) a static node experiencing severe, frequency-selective fading, (3) a static node, in a dynamic environment and (4) a moving node in a highly multipath environment. The demonstration employs four MicroStrain V-link nodes running custom firmware. The fading measurement methodology utilizes the sensor nodes to provide the functionality of a distributed scalar, network analyzer; a technique referred to as wireless sensors, sensing wireless (WSSW). Fading measurements and characterization are presented through a GUI interface.