Spectrum Occupancy Measurements in the Wi-Fi Band with a PCB Antenna

Contemporary development of wireless communication networks caused an increase of electromagnetic interference signal levels in both indoor and outdoor environments. In this paper, a measurement equipment for the field intensity and spectrum occupancy based on a SDR platform and a PCB antenna is described. The equipment has been used for acquiring signals in the Wi-Fi frequency range. Spectrum occupancy has been measured based on an energy threshold detection criterion. Impact of polarization and direction of arrival on the spectrum of the received signal have been assessed.