Characterization of the Radio Propagation Channel in Residential Environment for Smart Meter Communications

This paper presents a characterization analysis of a home area network radio propagation channel based on measurements conducted in both a reinforced concrete apartment and a wooden house. Measurements were performed within frequency bands of 950 MHz and 2.4 GHz. Several communication links were considered, including both room and stair scenarios, which exhibit through wall propagation. The experiment and analysis procedures allow both path loss and shadowing measurements of the radio propagation channel to be characterized. The aim of this paper is to study the behavior of the propagation channel in more detail and contribute to the system design for electricity meter communication. The propagation channel parameters are experimentally and accurately obtained, and may facilitate the system design.