Inter-Chip Wireless Communication Channel: Measurement, Characterization, and Modeling

Wireless chip area network (WCAN) that realizes wireless interconnects within a chip (intra-chip) or among chips (inter-chip) represents a new development in wireless communications. WCAN features unique intra- and inter-chip wireless channels. This paper focuses on understanding of inter-chip wireless communication channels in computer cases. Inter-chip wireless communication channel is characterized for the first time based on measurements conducted in frequency domain inside a computer case on a laboratory workbench. A novel technique for doubling the time-domain resolution is proposed for converting the frequency-domain data to time-domain using inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT). It is found that path loss factor is 1.607 for case closed and energy follows lognormal distribution in small scale. Based on analysis in practical situations, channel models are developed and simulated. Comparison between model-generated and empirical data shows that simulated channel responses closely match experimental data. Further more, sampled data in different computer cases give consistent results, making the work presented a representative channel model for wireless inter-chip communication.