3.5 GHz Coverage Assessment with a 5G Testbed

TL;DR

This paper provides empirical data and analysis of 3.5 GHz signal coverage across different environments using a 5G testbed, aiding network planning for the emerging 5G band.

Contribution

It offers the first comprehensive empirical path loss data and models for 3.5 GHz 5G networks in various real-world scenarios.

Findings

Measured path loss in rural, suburban, urban areas

Evaluated and validated path loss models for 3.5 GHz

Provided insights for 5G network planning

Abstract

Today, cellular networks have saturated frequencies below 3\,GHz. Because of increasing capacity requirements, 5th generation (5G) mobile networks target the 3.5\,GHz band (3.4 to 3.8\,GHz). Despite its expected wide usage, there is little empirical path loss data and mobile radio network planning experience for the 3.5\,GHz band available. This paper presents the results of rural, suburban, and urban measurement campaigns using a pre-standard 5G prototype testbed operating at 3.5\,GHz, with outdoor as well as outdoor-to-indoor scenarios. Based on the measurement results, path loss models are evaluated, which are essential for network planning.