A Study of Propagation Effects in a Wireless Test Bed

The paper discusses several effects influencing the propagation in a laboratory wireless test bed, and also aspects important for designing and setting up the wireless test bed with space constraints. A numerical electromagnetic model for the full scale 7×7 wireless mesh network test-bed is discussed. The model includes the coupling and diffraction effects, and is based on the method of moments. The results of numerical simulations are validated with microwave, antenna and received signal strength (RSSI) measurements. The methodology developed for the Wi-Fi card based measurements and relying on the RSSI values is also discussed. The findings from the simulations help to quantify errors and provide grounds for suggestions towards improving design of test-beds. Key-Words: electromagnetic propagation, wireless mesh network, wireless sensor network, wireless test-bed, wireless laboratory.