Multi-band Wideband Channel Measurements in Indoor and Outdoor Environments above 6 GHz for 5G Networks

Abstract

This document presented the results of ultra-wideband of multi-bands measurements performed in three different indoor environments such as large office, factory like and small office and one outdoor street canyon scenario at the science site of Durham University, United Kingdom. The measurements conducted using a wideband chirp sounder developed at Durham University. An analytical review of the radio wave propagation mechanisms and formulas is presented in addition to the background of the channel characteristics parameters and statistics. The parameters reviewed are the received signal strength, path loss, the excess, average and RMS delay spread, in addition to the angular parameters such as the angle of arrival (AoA), angle of departure (AoD) and the RMS angular spread. A literature survey for about 80 paper of the previous work are studied and summarised for the measurements and simulation performed to estimate different parameters in both indoor and outdoor scenarios.
Two different measurements set up were performed in three indoor environments and one outdoor scenario to measure mainly, the frequency dependency in various channel characteristics parameters. In the first set the measured parameters are the received signal strength, path loss, and the excess, average and the cumulative distribution function (CDF) and the RMS delay spread in three indoor environments. While in the second set the 3D angular parameters such as AoA, AoD and RMS angular spread in both Tx and Rx sides are studied in three indoor and one outdoor environment mentioned earlier. The measurements set up and procedures are presented for each set of measurement. The measurements were performed using a wideband channel sounder up to 6 GHz for both sets. Five different frequency bands (i.e.13.4 GHz, 26.8 GHz, 54.2 GHz, 62.6 GHz and 70 GHz) were used in the first set and three bands (i.e.13.4 GHz, 26.8 GHz, 62.6 GHz) for the second set. A steerable horn antenna at both side using 3D positioner in the second set of measurements, while an omnidirectional antenna was used at the receiver side in the first set. A summary and discussion the extracted results for each set of measurements are given. Conclusions about the achieved results and the recommended future work are provided.