UHF multipath and propagation measurements in manufacturing environments

Wideband multipath measurements at 1300 MHz have been made in five factories in Indiana. The rms delay spread (σ) values were found to range between 30 ns and 300 ns. Median σ values were 96 ns for line-of-sight (LOS) paths along aisleways and 105 ns for obstructed paths across aisles. Delay spread values were not correlated with transmitter-receiver (T-R) separation, but were dependent on factory inventory, building construction materials, and factory topography. It is noted that such measurements are important for the development of wireless factory communication systems which are envisaged to provide high data rate links between mobile robots, automated machinery, personnel, and remote terminals in the factory of the future.