How to simplify ultra wide band radio channel models ?
Résumé
Ultra wide band (UWB) channels have been intensively investigated over the last decade, triggered by the expected bright future of UWB communications. Unfortunately, the extra degree of freedom provided by the frequency -or time- parameter is also an extra degree of complexity, which makes the elaboration of channel models further challenging. The characteristics of the devices are rarely accounted for, while they critically influence the radio link quality. Variations such as multiple antennas make things even worse, whereas the increasing penetration of wireless devices in daily life generates new uses and urges for new models. The consequence of this complexity is either a need to spend enormous amounts of effort to reach an adequate level of accuracy and representativeness, or an acceptance for the models to be approximate and partially suited to the requirements. Should we accept this frustrating choice, or should we try to better identify the channel modelling needs and evaluate where efforts must be concentrated ? The presentation will address these issues and will attempt some responses.