Experimental Characterization of Air-to-ground Propagation at mm-Wave Frequencies in Dense Urban Environment

TL;DR

This study uses mm-wave transceivers on UAVs and ground stations to measure and analyze 3D air-to-ground propagation in dense urban environments, revealing key factors affecting signal behavior.

Contribution

It introduces a measurement setup with steerable antennas on UAVs and ground stations to characterize mm-wave A2G channels in urban areas.

Findings

Antenna tilt angles significantly influence signal propagation.

Signal can propagate from street canyons to the air under certain conditions.

Preliminary results enhance understanding of urban mm-wave A2G channels.

Abstract

In the present study, a measurement setup utilizing mm-wave transceivers with steerable directive antennas, mounted on both a customized UAV and a ground station has been used to study Air-to-Ground (A2G) radio links and, more generally, full-3D mm-wave propagation in urban environment. We evaluate the double-directional characteristics of the channel by rotating the antennas, deriving Power-Angle Profiles at both link ends. Preliminary results provide useful understanding of A2G propagation, e.g. the influence of the antenna tilt angles, or the mechanisms allowing for the signal to propagate from street canyons to the air.