A rapid channel characterization method using a new Rice distribution chart

In a multipath environment, electromagnetic propagation is degraded by obstacles that causes reflection, refraction, diffraction and scattering. To quantify this degradation, the envelope of the fast component signal is compared with well-established models, such as the Rice distribution. The author proposes a simple, rapid, and precise method to determine the value of a of the Rice distribution. This technique is based on the use of a chart specially developed for this purpose. It becomes then merely sufficient to plot a best fit horizontal line to obtain the value of a. Experimental results obtained with this method are presented.<>