UWB measurement investigation for remote sensing in underground mining environment

In order to test the feasibility of using UWB technology in underground mining to monitor and communicate with remote sensors, propagation channel characterization were performed over a frequency range of 3 GHz to 10 GHz. Many parameters have been investigated in terms of the human presence and antenna radiation pattern. The parameters are the path loss propagation and the RMS delay spread. Measurement and simulation results show that the path loss exponents in underground environments are larger than their corresponding in indoor environments. Moreover, the directional - directional antennas combination, which improves radiation efficiency, reduces the RMS delay spread. Consequently, a maximum transmitted symbol rate in UWB underground channel is expected.