Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2025

Effective Analysis of Human Exposure Conditions with Body-worn Dosimeters in the 2.4 GHz Band
Published on: May 2, 2018
Assessing Directional Time-Dependent Interference Vulnerabilities in Closed-Box Wireless Systems
Michelle Pirrone1,2, Jordan Bernhardt1, Adam Wunderlich1
1Communications Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO 80305 USA.
This study reveals pulse-modulated noise (PMN) significantly degrades wireless link performance, impacting both source and destination. Established testing using stationary noise may underestimate real-world interference vulnerabilities.
Area of Science:
- Wireless communication security
- Electromagnetic interference (EMI) analysis
Background:
- Consumer wireless systems face interference, impacting performance.
- Existing interference testing often uses stationary noise, which may not reflect real-world scenarios.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a methodology for assessing time-dependent interference vulnerabilities in wireless systems.
- To evaluate the impact of pulse-modulated noise (PMN) on different wireless links.
Main Methods:
- A general methodology was applied to two closed-box, consumer off-the-shelf (COTS) wireless systems.
- A point-to-point microwave link (6 GHz) and an IEEE 802.11n Wi-Fi link (5 GHz) were tested.
- Injected pulse-modulated noise (PMN) with varying periods targeted both the data source and destination.
Main Results:
- Observed asymmetric link throughput variations based on interference source (source vs. destination).
- Identified throughput degradations on specific interference time-scales, critical for quality of service.
- Demonstrated inter-system differences in susceptibility to various interference time-scales.
Conclusions:
- PMN causes greater link degradation than stationary additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) of equal average power.
- Current interference testing methodologies using AWGN may be insufficient.
- Re-evaluation of interference testing benchmarks is necessary for accurate vulnerability assessment.
More Related Videos
09:36Continuous-Wave Propagation Channel-Sounding Measurement System - Testing, Verification, and Measurements
Published on: June 25, 2021
07:14Tracking Infiltration Front Depth Using Time-lapse Multi-offset Gathers Collected with Array Antenna Ground Penetrating Radar
Published on: May 1, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Interference: Path Lengths
Two special sources may be considered when they are in phase. This can be easily achieved by feeding the two sources from the same source. An example would be synchronizing the two speakers by feeding them with the same source, such as the sound waves produced by a tuning fork. This setup ensures that the two sources have the same frequency and are...
Directional Relays
Mesh Analysis for AC Circuits
The process of harmonizing these impedances begins with a clear understanding of the input and output signals. Once these signals are known, the...
Line Protection with Impedance Relays
Under normal conditions, low load currents keep the measured...
Sound Waves: Interference
Radial System Protection
In a radial system with a fault downstream of the third breaker, ideally, only the third breaker will open, isolating the fault and interrupting the load connected beyond it. The second breaker has a longer delay setting,...