Empirical and Statistical Characterisation of 28 GHz mmWave Propagation in Office Environments

TL;DR

This paper provides empirical measurements and statistical analysis of 28 GHz mmWave propagation in office environments, offering benchmarks and insights for reliable indoor deployment.

Contribution

It offers new empirical data and statistical validation of propagation models, material effects, and reflector benefits for indoor mmWave systems.

Findings

Path loss aligns with free-space theory with an exponent of 2.07.

Desk dividers cause 3.4 dB more attenuation than display boards.

Reflector optimization yields a mean gain of 2.17 dB.

Abstract

Millimeter wave (mmWave) technology at 28 GHz is vital for beyond-5G systems, but indoor deployment remains challenging due to limited statistical evidence on propagation. This study investigates path loss, material penetration, and coverage enhancement using TMYTEK-based measurements. Statistical tests and confidence interval analysis show that path loss aligns with free-space theory, with an exponent of n = 2.07 plus or minus 0.073 (p = 0.385), confirming the suitability of classical models. Material analysis reveals significant variation: desk dividers introduce 3.4 dB more attenuation than display boards (95 percent CI: 1.81 to 4.98 dB, p less than 0.01), contradicting thickness-based assumptions. Reflector optimisation yields a significant mean gain of 2.17 plus or minus 2.33 dB (p less than 0.05), enhancing coverage. The results provide new empirical benchmarks and practical design insights for reliable indoor mmWave deployment.