Magnetic Induction Based Modeling and Optimization of Wireless Channels in Underground High-Conductivity Media

Wireless communication networks in underground environments are facing significant challenges due to elevated conductivity and complex geologic layering that is the unique electromagnetic nature of the formation. This paper presents an optimization of a channel model based on magnetic induction (MI) that has been specifically designed for wireless underground sensor networks, highlighting usage of the model for the prospect of oil and gas exploration. The proposed model uses a transfer function, H(f), to define the frequency response of the medium by accounting for the effects of high conductivity. This paper evaluates the MI model, justifies the choice of MI over Electromagnetic (EM) waves, and optimizes the dimensions of coils which have fixed values imposed by the area of application. Then, simulations are carried out with the model for BPSK transmission on coils with white noise to evaluate the bit error rate (BER) as a function of different distances. The results show that the resonance frequency remains stable with distance, while attenuation and BER increase; a BER of approximately 10<sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">−4</sup> is obtained at 0.4m with a 2 kHz band.