Multiple-Source Time-Reversal Transmissions in Random Media

The ability of time-reversed signals in reproducing a given time-dependence of the electromagnetic field within random media is investigated. A general setup consisting of multiple sources cooperating in providing the best transmission is considered, where the constructive interference of their individual contributions is meant to improve the quality of the field generation with respect to a single-source setup. The medium response is described by means of tools from random-process theory, for the case of stationary media complex enough to ensure a large number of multi-path contributions. It is shown that even a very weak spatial coherence in the medium is sufficient to significantly hinder the improvement expected from the use of multiple-source scenarios. Experimental results obtained in a reverberation chamber support the validity of the proposed theory. Direct applications of these results can be found in recent proposals about the potential benefits of time-reversed signals used in wireless communications, imaging techniques, as well as in pulsed-field generation devices based on energy compression through dispersive media.