Mind the gap - an overview of drivers, solutions and challenges for electromagnetics in the built environment

The process of electromagnetic propagation is influenced by many physical factors, such as: reflection, refraction, diffraction, absorption, scattering, coupling and re-radiation. Regardless of the physics other factors drive the requirement for management or control of EM propagation and the EM spectrum: politics - regulation/deregulation; user demand; technology. The technical implementation can be satisfied by control and management of the physical process supporting EM propagation. This leads to the promotion of: spectrum management; performance enhancement (reliability / availability / quality of service) - minimisation of signal degradation; interference control - electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). This presentation provides an overview of the drivers, challenges and solutions for management and control of the EM spectrum at the building interface.