Characterizing dispersion in the enclosed-space radio channel using a composite mode model

Wireless communications inside enclosed space environments (e.g. aircraft wings and fuselage, auto-mobile engine compartments, etc.) provides a unique opportunity for sensor networks and instrumentation systems native to these spaces to operate with improved reliability, flexibility and capabilities. Since these enclosed environments are typically surrounded by reflective boundaries (i.e. metallic walls), the enclosed-space radio channel is very dispersive and presents a significant challenge to radio communications. In this work, empirical dispersion measurements in representative enclosed space environments are made and a simple model which considers only the enclosure volume, surface area, conductivity and frequency of operation, is found to predict dispersion parameters in the enclosed space channel with good results.