The methodology is based on the 3D Ray Launching simulation tool and enables estimates to be made about the propagation of electromagnetic waves through space (or radio propagation) in interior environments.
According to the researcher, the tool makes it possible to determine the ideal location for networking wireless devices, optimising data transmission speed, equipment energy consumption and cost of deployment.
The conclusions reached in this research show that assessing interference on wireless sensor networks is set to become a key issue in the deployment of wireless sensor networks and wireless communication systems. "With the arrival of 5G communications systems and the Internet of Things, there are expected to be 50,000 million wireless devices across the world by the year 2020, an average of eight per person. Knowing the distribution of radiated output by a transmitter in a specific scenario enables optimal radio planning to be made," pointed out Peio López-Iturri of UPNA.
López-Iturri has also developed a hybrid method to model and estimate the propagation of electromagnetic noise generated by electric and electronic devices, such as microwave ovens, motors or transformers. "The advantage of knowing how these devices radiate lies in being able to better plan the deployment of a wireless communications network in the scenarios in which they are present, as they may interfere with communication.
"For example, a baby monitor with a camera may interfere with the receiving of the Wi-Fi signal that we have at home; and the microwave oven may cause severe interference in ZigBee wireless communication used, above all, in the deployment of sensor networks."
