Comparative Analysis of RSSI Values at WLAN Bands in Obstructed Wireless Communication Path

The performance of the direct Line of Sight wireless communication is remarkably influenced by multiple reflections in addition to scattering and diffraction propagation effects. The geometric and dielectric properties of the objects acting as obstacles to wireless signals vary to a large extent. Hence, it is required to model signal propagation accurately. In this work, measurements of WLAN signal strengths are made in a typical university corridor. The first Fresnel zone was blocked completely, using metal sheet of relevant size. The received signal strength values with and without blockage of Fresnel Zone were recorded through multiple reading sets in both the indoor and outdoor scenarios. For recording signal strength values, Homedale software was used. Validation of the proposed scenario is done through Tamograph simulator. This work quantifies the blockage effects in different scenarios and showing considerable reduction in signal strength by the blockage of first Fresnel zone. The power losses are significant are more detrimental in outdoor scenario than indoor.