A Tetherless, Absolute-Time Channel Sounder, Processing, and Results for a Complex Environment

Published

November 4, 2016

Author(s)

David R. Novotny, Alexandra E. Curtin, Catherine A. Remley, Peter B. Papazian, Jeanne T. Quimby, Richard Candell

Abstract

we present a channel sounder that can operate without a tether and still maintain an absolute time reference between the source and receiver. Based on a sliding correlator, with synchronized rubidium clocks to generate phase references for the up- and down- converted RF carriers, and synchronous triggering, the system generates locked signals in the short term – 10’s of hours. The system has an operational range of 10 MHz to 6 GHz with an instantaneous channel bandwidth of up to 200 MHz. We start with a discussion on processing measurements for oversampled, band-limited signals. Spectral truncation is compared with filtering, DC bias removal, and calibrations to remove systematic effects are discussed. We conclude with channel sounding results, power delay profile, RMS Delay Spread, and time of arrival versus position for an electromagnetically complex environment.

Proceedings Title

Proceedings of the Antenna Measurement Techniques Association

Conference Dates

October 30-November 4, 2016

Conference Location

Austin, TX

Conference Title

Proceedings of the 38th Antenna Measurement Techniques Association

Pub Type

Conferences

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

channel sounding, propagation, power delay profile, impulse response

Citation

Novotny, D. , Curtin, A. , Remley, C. , Papazian, P. , Quimby, J. and Candell, R. (2016), A Tetherless, Absolute-Time Channel Sounder, Processing, and Results for a Complex Environment, Proceedings of the Antenna Measurement Techniques Association, Austin, TX, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=921582 (Accessed October 13, 2025)