K-factor dependent multipath characterization for BAN-OTA Testing using a fading emulator

This paper presents a new methodology for BAN-OTA Testing using a developed fading emulator with a dynamic phantom. The key to the success of the proposed apparatus is to provide the fading emulator with a proper K-factor that can represent an actual propagation environment under consideration. Firstly, a configuration of the developed fading emulator used for BAN-OTA Testing is shown. Based on the configuration, an analytical investigation of the channel modeling considering K-factor dependent multipath characterization is presented. For getting the knowledge of K-factor, an experiment has been carried out by moving the phantom with different locations of dipole antennas. Finally, a method of calibration by setting the attenuators in fading emulator is also introduced and used in a preliminary experiment for confirming the validity of the proposed channel model. The experimental results show that a variety of K-factors can be controlled in a wide range, which indicates that a realistic BAN radio wave propagation environment can be realized in BAN-OTA Testing using the developed fading emulator.