A simplified model for predicting the power delay profile characteristics of an indoor radio propagation channel

Multipath channels in indoor wireless communication systems exhibit a characteristic power delay profile, which can be a detriment to system performance. In this paper, we present a simplified model for calculating the decay rate of the power delay profile for propagation within rooms. This simplified model provides a time-efficient means of predicting system performance. Predictions of this indoor power delay profile (IPDP) model are compared to results obtained from a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) model. Additionally, comparisons of the IPDP model to measured data are presented. The rms delay spread is the second central moment of the power delay profile of a propagation channel and is a measure of the communication link degradation due to multipath. We also show results of the estimated rms delay spread from this model and show comparisons to the measured data. This IPDP model can be used to investigate the effects of variable room size and properties of the surfaces (or walls) on the decay characteristics of the power delay profile.