Antennas and propagation for wireless communications

Wireless products and systems are quickly becoming an integral part of professional and private life styles and are being used in a large variety of vehicular, public and private environments. The design of these systems requires an accurate characterization of the communications channel defined by the transmitting and receiving antennas and the specific propagation characteristics of the radio link involved. This paper surveys the typical antenna design choices as well as the various propagation models applicable to modern wireless communications systems.