NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.
Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.
An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Radio Wave Signal Propagation Into Large Building Structures Part 1: CW Signal Attenuation and Variability
Published
Author(s)
Christopher L. Holloway, William F. Young, Galen H. Koepke, Dennis G. Camell, Catherine A. Remley
Abstract
In this paper, we report on our investigation into radio communications problems faced by emergency responders in disaster situations. A fundamental challenge to communications into and out of large buildings is the strong attenuation of radio signals caused by losses and scattering in the building materials and structure. Another challenge is the large amount a signal variability that occurs throughout these large structures. We designed experiments in various large building structures in an effort to quantify continuous wave (CW) radio-signal attenuation and variability throughout twelve large structures. We carried radio frequency transmitters throughout these structures and placed receiving systems outside the structures. The transmitters were tuned to frequencies near public safety, cell phone bands, as well as ISM and wireless LAN bands. This report summarizes the experiments, performed in twelve large building structures. We describe the experiments, detail the measurement system, show primary results of the data we collected, and discuss some of the interesting propagation effects we observed.
Holloway, C.
, Young, W.
, Koepke, G.
, Camell, D.
and Remley, C.
(2010),
Radio Wave Signal Propagation Into Large Building Structures Part 1: CW Signal Attenuation and Variability, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=33178
(Accessed October 12, 2025)