Millimeter-Wave Propagation Modeling and Measurement

TL;DR

This paper reviews millimeter-wave propagation characteristics, discusses modeling methods, and presents measurement campaigns to analyze channel parameters crucial for 5G mobile networks.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of mmWave channel modeling techniques and presents new measurement data from large-scale array campaigns.

Findings

Key channel parameters identified and analyzed

Measurement campaigns reveal propagation characteristics

Modeling methods compared and discussed

Abstract

Millimeter wave (mmWave) communication is one of the most promising technologies in fifth generation (5G) mobile networks due to its access to a large amount of available spectrum resources. Despite the theoretical potential of a high data rate, there are still several key technical challenges with using mmWave in mobile networks, such as severe pathloss, high penetration loss, narrow beamwidth, etc. Hence, accurate and reliable knowledge of mmWave channel propagation characteristics is essential for developing 5G wireless communication systems. In this article, the fundamental characteristics of mmWave are first presented. Then, two main channel modeling methods are discussed. Finally, in order to investigate the channel characteristics at the mmWave band, measurement campaigns using three different large-scale array topologies are carried out and the typical channel parameters are extracted and analyzed.