Application of Polynomial Chaos to Quantify Uncertainty in Deterministic Channel Models

Abstract

A non-intrusive formulation of the polynomial chaos method is applied to quantify the uncertainties in deterministic models of the indoor radio channel. Deterministic models based on the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method and ray tracing are examined. Various sources of parameter uncertainty are considered, including randomness in the material properties, building geometry, and the spatial location of transmitting and receiving antennas. The polynomial chaos results are confirmed against Monte Carlo simulations and experimental measurements. The analysis shows the expected variation in the sector-averaged path loss can be considerable for relatively small input parameter uncertainties, leading to the conclusion that a single simulation run using `nominal values' may be insufficient to adequately characterize the indoor radio channel.