Measurements in Harsh RF Propagation Environments to Support Performance Evaluation of Wireless Sensor Networks

Published

June 5, 2009

Author(s)

Catherine A. Remley, Galen H. Koepke, Christopher L. Holloway, Dennis G. Camell, Chriss A. Grosvenor

Abstract

We describe common performance evaluation methods for wireless devices, including wireless sensors, and how measurements of real-world propagation environments are used to support the evaluation process. We then present representative measurement data from multipath environments where sensor networks are likely to be deployed: a fixed-infrastructure, process-control environment - here an oil refinery - and a heavy industrial environment - here an automotive assembly plant. The data are from an extensive set of studies carried out by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology to characterize radiowave propagation in difficult radio environments - including those with high loss and/or high multipath. These tests provide data that can be used in the design, test, and verification of wireless sensor networks that will be deployed in point-to-point, low-power, high-multipath transmission scenarios such as those reported on here.

Citation

Sensor Review

Volume

29

Pub Type

Others

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1108/02602280910967620

Keywords

Path Loss, Modulated-Signal Measurement, Performance Evaluation, Performance Metric, Sensor Network, Wireless Communications

Citation

Remley, C. , Koepke, G. , Holloway, C. , Camell, D. and Grosvenor, C. (2009), Measurements in Harsh RF Propagation Environments to Support Performance Evaluation of Wireless Sensor Networks, Sensor Review, [online], https://doi.org/10.1108/02602280910967620 (Accessed October 26, 2025)