Empirical Effects of Dynamic Human-Body Blockage in 60 GHz Communications

The millimeter-wave (mmWave) bands and other high frequencies above 6 GHz have emerged as a central component of fifth generation cellular standards to deliver high data rates and ultra-low latency. A key challenge in these bands is blockage from obstacles, including the human body. In addition to the reduced coverage, blockage can result in highly intermittent links where the signal quality varies significantly with motion of obstacles in the environment. The blockages have widespread consequences throughout the protocol stack including beam tracking, link adaptation, cell selection, handover, and congestion control. Accurately modeling these blockage dynamics is therefore critical for the development and evaluation of potential mmWave systems. In this work, we present a novel spatial dynamic channel sounding system based on phased array transmitters and receivers operating at 60 GHz. Importantly, the sounder can measure multiple directions rapidly at high speed to provide detailed spatial dynamic measurements of complex scenarios. The system is demonstrated in an indoor home entertainment type setting with multiple moving blockers. Preliminary results are presented on analyzing this data with a discussion of the open issues toward developing statistical dynamic models. © 2018 IEEE.

Authors
Slezak C.1 , Semkin V. 2, 3 , Andreev S. 2 , Koucheryavy Y. 2 , Rangan S.1
Publisher
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Number of issue
12
Language
English
Pages
60-66
Status
Published
Number
8570041
Volume
56
Year
2018
Organizations
  • 1 NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY, United States
  • 2 Tampere University of Technology, Laboratory of Electronics and Communications Engineering, Finland
  • 3 Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Russian Federation
Keywords
Computer applications; Electrical engineering; 60-GHz communications; Cellular standards; Central component; High frequency HF; Home entertainment; Millimeter waves (mmwave); Phased-array transmitter; Statistical dynamics; Millimeter waves
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