Open Access
Mejora de antenas metalo-dieléctricas en la banda de frecuencias GSM-UMTS mediante elementos en transmisión extraordinaria
(2009) Illescas, Jesús; Estévez González, Aritz; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Marcotegui Iturmendi, José Antonio; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa
In this work a dual band GSM/UMTS antenna is proposed. The antenna is based on a stacked planar structure, where the combination of collimation by Enhanced Transmission and the use of parasitic director elements is used in order to achieve the desired specifications. Full wave simulation results, obtained using a self created algorithm based on the FDTD method, as well as measurement results from a fabricated prototype are presented, showing good agreement. The proposed antenna finds application in the deployment of micro and minicell sites in dual 2G/3G networks
Open Access
Empirical and modeling approach for environmental indoor RF-EMF assessment in complex high-node density scenarios: public shopping malls case study
(IEEE, 2021) Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Ramos, Victoria; López Iturri, Peio; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
This work provides an intensive and comprehensive in-depth study from an empirical and modeling approach of the environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) radiation exposure in public shopping malls, as an example of an indoor high-node user density context aware environment, where multiple wireless communication systems coexist. For that purpose, current personal mobile communications (2G-5G FR 1) as well as Wi-Fi services (IEEE 802.11n/ac) have been precisely analyzed in order to provide clear RF-EMF assessment insight and to verify compliance with established regulation limits. In this sense, a complete measurements campaign has been performed in different countries, with frequency-selective exposimeters (PEMs), providing real empirical datasets for statistical analysis and allowing discussion and comparison regarding current health effects and safety issues between some of the most common RF-EMF exposure safety standards: ICNIRP 2020 (Spain), IEEE 2019 (Mexico) and a more restrictive regulation (Poland). In addition, environmental RF-EMF exposure assessment simulation results, in terms of spatial E-field characterization and Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) probabilities, have been provided for challenging incremental high-node user dense scenarios in worst case conditions, by means of a deterministic in-house 3D Ray-Launching (3D-RL) RF-EMF safety simulation technique, showing good agreement with the experimental measurements. Finally, discussion highlighting the contribution and effects of the coexistence of multiple heterogenous networks and services for the environmental RF-EMF radiation exposure assessment has been included, showing that for all measured results and simulated cases, the obtained E-Field levels are well below the exposure limits established in the internationally accepted standards and guidelines. In consequence, the obtained results and the presented methodology could become a starting point to stablish the RF-EMF assessment basis of future complex heterogeneous 5G FR 2 developments on the millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency range, where massive high-node user density networks are expected.
Open Access
Medida de torsión en seguidores solares con sensores de fibra óptica
(SEDOPTICA, 2021) Leandro González, Daniel; Bravo Acha, Mikel; López-Amo Sáinz, Manuel; Loayssa Lara, Alayn; Júdez Colorado, Aitor; Mariñelarena Ollacarizqueta, Jon; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Jiménez Romero, Sergio; Moriana García, Iñaki; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua WINDSOLAR (0011-1365-2017-000122)
En este trabajo se ha monitorizado la torsión sufrida por una estructura de seguidores solares empleando sensores de fibra óptica. Estas medidas de campo se han obtenido con una red de sensores formada por 45 redes de difracción de Bragg en una huerta solar activa. Estos resultados, correlados con la velocidad y dirección del viento permitirían aumentar la eficiencia de los seguidores y ayudar a entender y prevenir efectos negativos relacionados con inestabilidades aeroelásticas.
Open Access
Design and performance analysis of wireless body area networks in complex indoor e-Health hospital environments for patient remote monitoring
(SAGE, 2016) Aguirre Gallego, Erik; López Iturri, Peio; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Rivarés Garasa, Carmen; Astrain Escola, José Javier; Villadangos Alonso, Jesús; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa; Ingeniería Matemática e Informática; Matematika eta Informatika Ingeniaritza
In this article, the design and performance analysis of wireless body area network–based systems for the transmission of medical information readable in an android-based application deployed within complex indoor e-Health scenarios is presented. The scenario under analysis is an emergency room area, where a patient is being monitored remotely with the aid of wearable wireless sensors placed at different body locations. Due to the advent of Internet of Things, in the near future a cloud of a vast number of wireless devices will be operating at the same time, potentially interfering one another. Ensuring good performance of the deployed wireless networks in this kind of environment is mandatory and obtaining accurate radio propagation estimations by means of a computationally efficient algorithm is a key issue. For that purpose, an in-house three-dimensional ray launching algorithm is employed, which provides radio frequency power distribution values, power delay profiles, and delay spread values for the complete volume of complex indoor scenarios. Using this information together with signal-to-noise estimations and link budget calculations, the most suitable wireless body area network technology for this context is chosen. Additionally, an in-house developed human body model has been developed in order to model the impact of the presence of monitored patients. A campaign of measurements has been carried out in order to validate the obtained simulation results. Both the measurements and simulation results illustrate the strong influence of the presented scenario on the overall performance of the wireless body area networks: losses due to material absorption and the strong influence of multipath components due to the great number of obstacles and the presence of persons make the use of the presented method very useful. Finally, an android-based application for the monitoring of patients is presented and tested within the emergency room scenario, providing a flexible solution to increase interactivity in health service provision.
Open Access
Design and analysis of a low profile millimeter-wave band Vivaldi MIMO antenna for wearable WBAN applications
(IEEE Xplore Digital Library, 2024) Ahmad, Jawad; Hashmi, Mohammad; Bakytbekov, Azamat; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
The development of a reliable Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) relies significantly on the quality of wearable antennas. Therefore, this paper proposes a low-profile four-element Multi-Input- Multi-Output (MIMO) antenna for wearable millimeter-wave (mm-wave) WBAN applications. The MIMO antenna structure incorporates a standardVivaldi antenna and a frequency-selective surface that encompasses the 28 GHz and 30 GHz of the mm-wave band with a 36.44% fractional bandwidth. It offers inter-element isolation of less than -20 dB in a compact space of 16 x 20 mm2. Conformability analysis, along with testing on Gustav’s model chest, hand, and leg, was evaluated in terms of the antenna impedance bandwidth, gain, efficiency, and radiation pattern. The simulated characteristics of the MIMO antenna were tested through measurements in free space and on the human body using a prototype of the antenna. Furthermore, the MIMO antenna exhibits a low envelope correlation coefficient of less than 0.24, high diversity gain of greater than 9.95 dB, and an acceptable total active reflection coefficient of less than -10 dB. To ensure safety, the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) analysis revealed acceptable levels of 0.397 and 0.267 (W/kg) at 28 GHz and 30 GHz, respectively. The proposed MIMO design is suitable for wearable WBAN applications owing to its small size, consistent gain, and compatibility with the human body in terms of a constant impedance bandwidth and end-fire radiation pattern.
Open Access
Multi antenna structure assisted by metasurface concept providing circular polarization for 5G millimeter wave applications
(Nature, 2025-05-21) Althuwayb, Ayman Abdulhadi; Ali, Esraa Mousa; Alibakhshikenari, Mohammad; Virdee, Bal S.; Rashid, Nasr; Kaaniche, Khaled; Atitallah, Ahmed Ben; Elhamrawy, Osama I.; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
This paper presents a circularly polarized multi-antenna structure designed for 5G millimeter-wave applications. The structure is based on circular patch radiators, each enhanced with metasurface (MTS) characteristics through the integration of multi-split ring slots. Each radiating element is enclosed within a decoupling wall constructed from a microstrip transmission line, which features both wide (capacitive) and thin (inductive) impedance profiles. The antennas are excited from below using metallic pins, which connect to the radiators through via-holes stemming from coplanar waveguide ports on the ground plane. Experimental results demonstrate a wide bandwidth from 25.6 to 29.7 GHz, corresponding to a fractional bandwidth of 14.82%. Additionally, the antenna exhibits stable radiation patterns, with an average gain of 2.7 dBi and a radiation efficiency of 57%. Using a single radiator configuration, a 3 × 3 antenna array was implemented. In this design, electromagnetic coupling between adjacent radiators is significantly reduced. The resulting array, measuring 20 × 20 × 0.32 mm3, achieves excellent performance across a wide frequency range from 24 to 31 GHz, corresponding to a bandwidth of 25.45%. Key metrics include an average isolation between radiating elements exceeding 17 dB and an average gain and radiation efficiency of 9.0 dBi and 91.5%, respectively.
Open Access
An IoT framework for SDN based city mobility
(Springer, 2021) Al-Rahamneh, Anas; Astrain Escola, José Javier; Villadangos Alonso, Jesús; Klaina, Hicham; Picallo Guembe, Imanol; López Iturri, Peio; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación
The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming more widespread, with global application in a wide range of commercial sectors, utilizing a variety of technologies for customized use in specific environments. The combinationof applications and protocolsand the unique requirements of each environment present a significant challenge for IoT applications, necessitating communication and message exchange support. This paper presents a proposed SDN-based edge smart bypass/ multiprotocol switching for bicycle networks that supports functionalities of coordination of various wireless transmission protocols. A performance assessment will be presented, addressing a comparison between the different protocols (LoRaWAN vs. Sigfox) in terms radio coverage.
Open Access
Evaluation of electromagnetic dosimetry of wireless systems in complex indoor scenarios with human body interaction
(EMW Publishing, 2012) Aguirre Gallego, Erik; Arpón Díaz-Aldagalán, Javier; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Ramos González, Victoria; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
In this work, the influence of human body within the estimation of dosimetric values is analyzed. A simplified human body model, including the dispersive nature of material parameters of internal organs, skin, muscle, bones and other elements has been implemented. Such a model has been included within an indoor scenario in which an in-house 3D ray launching code has been applied to estimate received power levels within the complete scenario. The results enhance previous dosimetric estimations, while giving insight on influence of human body model in power level distribution and enabling to analyze the impact in the complete volume of the scenario.
Open Access
A ray launching-neural network approach for radio wave propagation analysis in complex indoor environments
(IEEE, 2014) Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Rawat, Meenakshi; Rawat, Karun; Ghannouchi, Fadhel; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa
A novel deterministic approach to model the radio wave propagation channels in complex indoor environments reducing computational complexity is proposed. This technique combines a neural network and a 3D ray launching algorithm in order to compute wireless channel performance in indoor scenarios. An example of applying the method for studying indoor radio wave propagation is presented and the results are compared with a very high resolution fully three dimensional ray launching simulation as the reference solution. The new method allows the use of a lower number of launched rays in the simulation scenario whereas intermediate points can be predicted using neural network. Therefore a high gain in terms of computational efficiency (approximately 80% saving in simulation time) is achieved.
Open Access
Wireless characterization and assessment of an UWB-Based system in industrial environments
(IEEE, 2021) Picallo Guembe, Imanol; López Iturri, Peio; Klaina, Hicham; Glaría Ezker, Guillermo; Sáez de Jaúregui Urdanoz, Félix; Zabalza Cestau, José Luis; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
The advent of Indsutrial Internet of Things is one of the main drivers for the implementation of Industry 4.0 scenarios and applications, in which wireless communication systems play a key role in terms of flexibility, mobility and deployment capabilities. However, the integration of wireless communication systems poses challenges, owing to variable path loss conditions and interference impact. In this work, an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) system for indoor location in very large, complex industrial scenarios is presented. Precise wireless channel characterization for the complete volume of a logistical plant is performed, based on 3D hybrid ray launching approximation, in order to aid network node design process. Wireless characterization, implementation and measurement results are obtained for both 4 GHz and 6 GHz frequency bands, considering different densities of scatterers within the scenario under test. Time domain estimation results have been obtained and compared with time of flight measurement results, showing good agreement. The proposed methodology enables to perform system design and performance tasks, analyzing the impact of variable object density conditions in wireless channel response, providing accurate time of flight estimations without the need of complex channel sounder systems, aiding in optimal system planning and implementation.