Modeling the radio frequency environment of Mars for future wireless, networked rovers and sensor Webs

NASA's long-term goals for the exploration of Mars include the use of rovers and sensors, which intercommunicate through proximity wireless networks. The performance of any such wireless network depends fundamentally on the radio frequency (RF) environment. This paper presents our initial results concerning modeling the RF environment on Mars in support of determining the characteristics of potential in-situ networks. In this work, we have utilized commercial RF propagation modeling software, designed for cellular telephone system planning, together with recent topographic data for Mars to deterministically construct propagation path loss models. The software takes into account antenna heights and types, radiated power, topographic information, image data, and surface features and clutter. As we show, the resulting models provide a powerful tool for determining potential coverage patterns and data rates for mission planners.