Study of the positioning of wireless sensors for communication at 2.4 GHz inside the train

The benefits of wireless sensor networks (WSN) offer many possibilities for the management of energy systems, which are actually based on wired systems. The need of new services on-board the train and of cables lengths reduction promote the use of wireless sensor networks in trains. Then, researches are required to estimate radio coverage to optimize planning before actual network deployment. In this paper, we study a 2.4 GHz propagation channel in a corridor environment which simulates a wagon configuration. The purpose of this work is to determine the best location of these sensors for optimal wireless communication inside the train. Thus preliminary measurements were made in a corridor with seats to prepare the future measurement campaign in a real train. To better analyze this propagation channel, a simplified 3D model of the measurement environment has been developed taking into account material parameters and simplified geometry to validate a simulation model. Finally, measurement results were compared to the simulation ones using on geometrical optics theory.