A graphical indoor radio channel simulator using 2D ray tracing

This paper presents a graphical user interface program that uses a ray tracing algorithm to predict the radio propagation in the indoor radio channel from the layout of the floor plan. The program allows the user to interactively specify the location of the walls in the floor plan, the type of material in the construction, and the location of the radio transmitter and receiver. The ray tracing algorithm determines the magnitude, phase, time of arrival, and direction of every signal path between the specified radio transmitter and receiver when an RF pulse is transmitted. The accuracy of the model for a shielded cage is examined by comparing the results with those obtained from empirical measurements. Comparisons are also made between the simulation and the results of measurements in a complex laboratory environment at Worcester Polytechnic Institute