Experimental evaluation of the effect of antenna parameters on the DECT propagation channel

In wireless and cordless telecommunication systems the use of directive antennas in the handset is extensively discussed to replace the omnidirectional ones. Directive antennas yield higher efficiency and radiate less power into the user´s head. Though the effects on antenna parameters are commonly known the influence on the propagation channel was investigated very roughly. Hence in this work the effect of the antenna parameters on the propagation channel of a DECT-system is investigated. A standard DECT-handset with little additional software is used to collect data at different locations being typical for using a cordless phone. The received power is evaluated separating it into a slow fading component caused by different distances and obstacles between the base station and the handset and a fast fading component caused by multipath propagation. In the mean received power little difference is seen between the antennas, but the directive antenna slightly decreases the fast fading