Ultra-Wideband Channel Modeling for Hurricanes

Maintaining communications during major hurricanes is critically important for public safety operations by first responders. This requires accurate knowledge of the propagation channel during hurricane conditions. In this work, we have carried out ultra-wideband (UWB) channel measurements during hurricane conditions ranging from Category-1 to Category- 4, generated at the Wall of Wind (WoW) facility of Florida International University (FIU). Time Domain P410 radios are used for channel measurements. From the empirical data analysis in time domain, we developed a UWB statistical broadband channel model for hurricanes. In particular, we characterize the effects of rain and wind speed on large scale and small scale UWB propagation parameters.