Directional and multi-band mobile radio channel characteristics utilising a modular antenna array

Abstract

This thesis presents an analysis of directional and multi-band radio channel characteristics in two key environments for 5th Generation (5G) mobile. From a review of the available literature within this field, three key motivations were identified for the work. The first was to measure multi-band radio channel characteristics in an industrial environment, as there appeared to be a gap in the current data pool surrounding this scenario. An Alpha-Beta-Gamma (ABG) path loss model for line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight has been presented along with delay spread and delay spread vs path loss data for 8 frequency bands ranging from below 1 GHz up to 68 GHz. The second motivation was provided by the part sponsors of this work, Intel, who provided 60 GHz, 128 element Modular Antenna Arrays (MAA) for the duration of the work. These arrays were integrated with the Durham sounder system, calibrated in an anechoic chamber and verified in a real scenario against a horn antenna prior to any further measurements. The MAAs were used to gather rapid directional measurements in industrial and outdoor environments. The use of electronic beam switching to gather directional characteristics has not been observed within the literature and it was commonly noted that speed was a limiting factor for many research groups. The final motivation was to develop an improved method for presenting and deriving directional characteristics. Utilising a variety of sources, a 3D parameter referred to as the Location Spatial Vector (LSV) was proposed and utilised for directional characterisation. This parameter, along with a conversion model, allowed the principal angle of arrival/departure and the angular spread to be derived with only a single data pass.