Experimental evaluation of ultra wideband wireless transmission within a simulated spacecraft for replacing wired interface buses

Ultra wideband (UWB) communication was evaluated within a closed space, with a view to partly replacing onboard data buses with wireless connections. Spatial distributions of UWB propagation in frequency (from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz), time domains and throughput with use of a radio absorber were derived from measured. It was also found that delay spreads can be suppressed by partially panelling a radio absorber on the inner surfaces to facilitate high data rate transmission. Even within the empty shield box, the delay spreads were adequately suppressed to accommodate a data rate exceeding 100 Mb/s, when the absorber panel covered typically 8% of the total inner surface area.