Communication at millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies is defining a new era of wireless communication. The mmWave band offers higher bandwidth communication channels versus those presently used in commercial wireless systems. The applications of mmWave are immense: wireless local and personal area networks in the unlicensed band, 5G cellular systems, not to mention vehicular area networks, ad hoc networks, and wearables. Signal processing is critical for enabling the next generation of mmWave communication. Due to the use of large antenna arrays at the transmitter and receiver, combined with radio frequency and mixed signal power constraints, new multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication signal processing techniques are needed. Because of the wide bandwidths, low complexity transceiver algorithms become important. There are opportunities to exploit techniques like compressed sensing for channel estimation and beamforming. This article provides an overview of signal processing challenges in mmWave wireless systems, with an emphasis on those faced by using MIMO communication at higher carrier frequencies.

An Overview of Signal Processing Techniques for Millimeter Wave MIMO Systems

A system is presented providing content to a plurality of handheld devices (including musical selections). The devices can access a server over the Internet via a WIFI or other similar wireless interconnection and can download songs requested by a user from the server or from other users using, e.g., a P2P protocol. All downloads are governed by applicable DRM rules. Content and playlists may also be pushed by a server from other sources and means including, e.g., podcasting, based on predetermined rules, favorite preferences of users, and other criteria.

Audio visual player apparatus and system and method of content distribution using the same

With the explosive growth of mobile data demand, the fifth generation (5G) mobile network would exploit the enormous amount of spectrum in the millimeter wave (mmWave) bands to greatly increase communication capacity. There are fundamental differences between mmWave communications and existing other communication systems, in terms of high propagation loss, directivity, and sensitivity to blockage. These characteristics of mmWave communications pose several challenges to fully exploit the potential of mmWave communications, including integrated circuits and system design, interference management, spatial reuse, anti-blockage, and dynamics control. To address these challenges, we carry out a survey of existing solutions and standards, and propose design guidelines in architectures and protocols for mmWave communications. We also discuss the potential applications of mmWave communications in the 5G network, including the small cell access, the cellular access, and the wireless backhaul. Finally, we discuss relevant open research issues including the new physical layer technology, software-defined network architecture, measurements of network state information, efficient control mechanisms, and heterogeneous networking, which should be further investigated to facilitate the deployment of mmWave communication systems in the future 5G networks.

A survey of millimeter wave communications (mmWave) for 5G: opportunities and challenges

According to Edholm’s law, the demand for point-to-point bandwidth in wireless short-range communications has doubled every 18 months over the last 25 years It can be predicted that data rates of around 5–10 Gb/s will be required in ten years In order to achieve 10 Gb/s data rates, the carrier frequencies need to be increased beyond 100 GHz Over the past ten years, several groups have considered the prospects of using sub-terahertz (THz) and THz waves (100–2000 GHz) as a means to transmit data wirelessly Some of the reported advantages of THz communications links are inherently higher bandwidth compared to millimeter wave links, less susceptibility to scintillation effects than infrared wireless links, and the ability to use THz links for secure communications Our goal of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of wireless sub-THz and THz communications

Review of terahertz and subterahertz wireless communications

This tutorial presents an overview of the technological advances in millimeter-wave (mm-wave) circuit components, antennas, and propagation that will soon allow 60-GHz transceivers to provide multigigabit per second (multi-Gb/s) wireless communication data transfers in the consumer marketplace. Our goal is to help engineers understand the convergence of communications, circuits, and antennas, as the emerging world of subterahertz and terahertz wireless communications will require understanding at the intersections of these areas. This paper covers trends and recent accomplishments in a wide range of circuits and systems topics that must be understood to create massively broadband wireless communication systems of the future. In this paper, we present some evolving applications of massively broadband wireless communications, and use tables and graphs to show research progress from the literature on various radio system components, including on-chip and in-package antennas, radio-frequency (RF) power amplifiers (PAs), low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs), mixers, and analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). We focus primarily on silicon-based technologies, as these provide the best means of implementing very low-cost, highly integrated 60-GHz mm-wave circuits. In addition, the paper illuminates characterization techniques that are required to competently design and fabricate mm-wave devices in silicon, and illustrates effects of the 60-GHz RF propagation channel for both in-building and outdoor use. The paper concludes with an overview of the standardization and commercialization efforts for 60-GHz multi-Gb/s devices, and presents a novel way to compare the data rate versus power efficiency for future broadband devices.

http://faculty.poly.edu/~tsr/wp-content/uploads/publications/abstract17.pdf

State of the Art in 60-GHz Integrated Circuits and Systems for Wireless Communications

Antennas are provided which are constructed using one or more conductive via stubs as radiating elements formed in a substrate. The antennas can be integrally packaged with IC chips (e.g., IC transceivers, receivers, transmitters, etc.) to build integrated wireless or RF (radio frequency) communications systems.

Apparatus and methods for constructing antennas using vias as radiating elements formed in a substrate

Improved feed line networks for antenna arrays operating at millimeter wave frequencies are provided for constructing planar antenna arrays printed on the surface of a dielectric substrate. A planar antenna array includes an array of planar radiator elements interconnected through a feed line network of planar coplanar transmission lines that enable high-efficiency operation, at millimeter wave operating frequencies. For example, a feed network may be formed with a network of coplanar strip line transmission lines including one or more coplanar strip line (CPS) and one or more coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission line, which are interconnected using balun structures, to enable high efficiency operation at millimeter wave frequencies.

Antenna Array Feed Line Structures For Millimeter Wave Applications

A Web based community feedback collection tool. The Web based community feedback collection tool is programmed to establish the linkage between the traditional document editing tools (e.g., MS Word, Powerpoint) and a Web based community feedback collection tool. A writer could get the summarized feedback generated from Reader/Web community directly when they open the document through the traditional document editing tool. The reader could provide feedback directly as well when they read the document through the document editing tool.

Collecting community feedback for collaborative document development

In an illustrative embodiment, the AC power line network simulator includes an enclosure for containing elements of the system. An AC coupling network coupled to the network simulator implements the functions relating to a particular simulation. A distribution panel connected to a power feed distributes power and includes outgoing circuits and circuit breakers for protecting the outgoing circuits. A plurality of outlets are connected to the breakers of the panel. Through the use of the simulator, with the AC coupling network, simulation of an AC power line network, such as measuring electrical signals, recording electrical signals, simulating electrical signals and inserting electrical signals, can be easily performed. The measured, recorded, simulated and inserted signals correspond to electrical characteristics of elements found in an AC power line network, and can be stored for later analysis. In addition, once simulation information has been stored, it can be reproduced as desired.

AC power line network simulator

A cordless modem comprises a radio pair interfaced to a standard data/fax modem which allows a user of a personal computer to wirelessly connect to a telephone line. One end of the radio pair is a remote unit interfaced to the modem contained within the PC while the other end is a base unit connected to a standard telephone wall jack. This arrangement allows the user the convenience and freedom of using a PC, laptop, personal digital assistant, etc., within several hundred feet of a phone jack without being encumbered by a cord. A warning alarm on the remote unit informs the user when the signal strength between the radio pair is below a threshold value. Additionally, the base unit may be equipped with two spatially separated antennas to help mitigate the effects of signal fading.

Brian P. Gaucher

Papers

Apparatus and methods for constructing antennas using vias as radiating elements formed in a substrate

Antenna Array Feed Line Structures For Millimeter Wave Applications

Collecting community feedback for collaborative document development

AC power line network simulator

Cordless communication system for a portable computer modem