Measurements of UWB through-the-wall propagation using spectrum analyzer and the Hilbert transform

This article presents a simplified approach for characterization of ultra wideband (UWB) through-the-wall propagation. The simplified approach requires spectrum analyzer rather than vector network analyzer. A minimum phase retrieval method based on Hilbert transform is used to retrieve the phase information. The proposed method is shown to be applicable to the insertion transfer function. While linear phase component cannot be retrieved, important factors for UWB receiver design such as group delay ripple and dispersion effect can be retrieved. In noisy channels, phase retrieval could be superior to direct phase measurements. Estimation of linear phase component can be achieved through matching the measured phase with the retrieved phase.