On Multipath Propagation in Electrically Large Reflective Spaces

A simple model for predicting the characteristic energy decay time of wireless RF emissions in confined, reflective spaces is presented. Based on this cavity decay time, accurate estimates of room quality factor, diffuse (multipath propagation) insertion loss, and statistical electric field coverage can be easily obtained. Spaces of interest for model applications include aircraft cabins, below-deck compartments in ships, metallic storage buildings and reflective room enclosures. Decay time predictions are shown to be in excellent agreement with measured data in a reverberant test chamber over the 110 GHz frequency range.