Full wave time domain methods for "simple but not simpler" propagation modelling suitable to designing future radio communication systems

• Research unit: COST
• Project number: C11.0119

Key words (English)

radio propagation model; radio channel model; radio system design; cooperative radio; MIMO; FDTD; PixelFlow

Research programs (English)

COST-Action IC1004 - Cooperative Radio Communications for Green Smart Environments

Short description (English)

The main objective of this project is to propose to radio communication system scientists and engineers suitable radio channel models for realistic propagation scenarios in real environments, antenna configurations and transceivers designs. It is believed that a major gap remains between the current channel models used in MIMO and 5G research, such as the WINNER II model [1] for example, and radio propagation models based on a geometrical description of the environment such as floorplan, building plan, etc. This gap should be filled to assess more realistically the performance of advanced radio technologies. Empirical models based on full wave time domain techniques could bridge this gap. This project should gather expertise in the 'layer 1/propagation' and 'layer 2/digital communication' communities to offer a useful propagation model leading to performance results similar to the one obtained in realistic measurement scenarios.

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise: HES-SO Haute école d'ingénierie et d'architecture Fribourg HEIA

Partners and International Organizations (English)

AT; BE; BG; HR; CY; CZ; DK; FI; FR; F,Y.R. Macedonia; DE; EL; IE; IL; IT; LU; NL; NO; PL; PT; RO: RS; SK; SI; ES; SE; UK; US; CN; JP; CO

Abstract (English)

lt is well known that a major gap exist between the available radio channel models used in MIMO and 5G research such as the well-known WINNER II model for example, and radio propagation models based on a geometrical description of the environment such as floor plan, building plan, etc. This gap should be filled to assess more realistically the performance of advanced radio technologies. The important characteristics of 5G networks include high achievable data rates, bw network latency, extremely high reliability, and ability to handle ultra-network density. The aim of this research is to investigate the new frontiers of radio channel modeling with emphasis on the predictions of 5G coverage and performance using multiple frequencies. This research started with a brief investigation of 2 full wave numerical techniques: FDTD (complex) and PixelFLow (simple but 2D only). Due to the limitations found, our contributions have then focused on a conceptually simple ray based radio channel models using a laser “point cboud“: a very accurate geometrical description of the environment. Originally proposed for diffuse environments, the “point cloud“ based propagation model has been extended to account for specular reflections. The novel “point cboud model“ shows promising accuracy while covenng frequencies up to millimeter (mm) waves. New measurements campaigns have been required to verify our point cloud model. These new measurements have been entirely funded by our partner institution Aalto University. The analysis of our model with respect to the performances of radio communication systems is required complement this investigation.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: COST-DB of the State Secretariat for Education and Research Hallwylstrasse 4 CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland Tel. [phone] Swiss Project-Number: C11.0119