Subnanosecond UWB channel sounding in frequency and temporal domain

The performance prediction and simulation of new communication and positioning systems based on UWB technology require an important effort to reach a deep knowledge of the physical channel. The multipath nature of the indoor channel is the limiting factor for positioning accuracy and communication capabilities of UWB systems in real environments, in particular ISI for high data rate applications. Most of the measurement performed to characterise the UWB channel have been performed in the time-domain by using a sampling oscilloscope with resolution greater than 1 ns. This paper describes a frequency approach based on a vector network analyser with a subnanosecond resolution in accordance with usually UWB pulse width. After an introduction the measurement technique is described and the performances of the sounding chain evaluated. Then an experimental methodology is proposed in order to assess the channel characteristics at different scale levels (small, medium, large). Finally the statistical post-processing for the future measurements is described.