Delay spread emulation in machine workshops with fractals for wireless communication system planning

This paper presents a new way to estimate delay spread in machine workspaces by using fractal geometry. In this way, inventories can be created quickly and used within a ray tracing software to estimate the radio environment of machine workspaces as part of the planning process. Delay spread is an important metric in assessing the performance of wireless technologies. Predicted 5G cyber–physical systems in workplaces will require high-density use of wirelessly connected machine-to-machine RF modules. In workshops, the surfaces and edges of machines, shelves, and furniture influence the multipath/power delay profile of the space. However, with the fast construction pace and high occupancy of buildings, it is impractical to characterize the location as building work progresses. Consequently, it becomes more probable that the radio communication system deployed will perform suboptimally. In this work, the Wi-Fi band was investigated. In addition, representative simulations were also carried out at millimetre wave frequencies of 28 GHz and 60 GHz.