Investigating the Effects of Metal Obstructions on Radio Propagation in 2.4 GHz ISM Band

The path of the wireless signals is affected during transmission when it encounters an obstruction, which can reflect, refract, diffract, absorb and/or scatter the signal. Metal obstructions of different materials, gauges, surfaces and finishing exist in wireless signal propagation. However, little work has been done on quantification of their obstructive effects on radio signal propagation. This research work focuses on determining quantitatively the effect of iron metal obstructions on the transmission of signals. The experimental setup consisted of an access point acting as a signal transmitter and a laptop acting as a receiver and metal obstructions obstructing the path of signals. The readings taken indoor were compared with the readings taken outside using the similar experimental scenario. Tamograph software was used for comparison between the practical and simulated environments. The simulated scenarios also followed the same pattern of reduction in the received power as obstructions were introduced. The results have quantified the effects of iron obstruction placed between the Line-of-Sight Path between transmitter and receiver. This can be utilized for enhanced understanding of propagation in dense urban, indoor environments, and can assist in intentional placement of obstructions to attenuate the unwanted signals.