The fifth generation (5G) mobile communication systems will be in use around 2020. The aim of 5G systems is to provide anywhere and anytime connectivity for anyone and anything. Several new technologies are being researched for 5G systems, such as massive multiple-input multiple-output communications, vehicle-to-vehicle communications, high-speed train communications, and millimeter wave communications. Each of these technologies introduces new propagation properties and sets specific requirements on 5G channel modeling. Considering the fact that channel models are indispensable for system design and performance evaluation, accurate and efficient channel models covering various 5G technologies and scenarios are urgently needed. This paper first summarizes the requirements of the 5G channel modeling, and then provides an extensive review of the recent channel measurements and models. Finally, future research directions for channel measurements and modeling are provided.

A Survey of 5G Channel Measurements and Models

High-speed railway (HSR) brings convenience to peoples' lives and is generally considered as one of the most sustainable developments for ground transportation. One of the important parts of HSR construction is the signaling system, which is also called the “operation control system,” where wireless communications play a key role in the transmission of train control data. We discuss in detail the main differences in scientific research for wireless communications between the HSR operation scenarios and the conventional public land mobile scenarios. The latest research progress in wireless channel modeling in viaducts, cuttings, and tunnels scenarios are discussed. The characteristics of nonstationary channel and the line-of-sight (LOS) sparse and LOS multiple-input-multiple-output channels, which are the typical channels in HSR scenarios, are analyzed. Some novel concepts such as composite transportation and key challenging techniques such as train-to-train communication, vacuum maglev train techniques, the security for HSR, and the fifth-generation wireless communications related techniques for future HSR development for safer, more comfortable, and more secure HSR operation are also discussed.

Challenges Toward Wireless Communications for High-Speed Railway

Railway communications has attracted significant attention from both academia and industries due to the booming development of railways, especially high-speed railways (HSRs). To be in line with the vision of future smart rail communications, the rail transport industry needs to develop innovative communication network architectures and key technologies that ensure high-quality transmissions for both passengers and railway operations and control systems. Under high mobility and with safety, eco-friendliness, comfort, transparency, predictability, and reliability. Fifth-generation (5G) technologies could be a promising solution to dealing with the design challenges on high reliability and high throughput for HSR communications. Based on our in-depth analysis of smart rail traffic services and communication scenarios, we propose a network slicing architecture for a 5G-based HSR system. With a ray tracing-based analysis of radio wave propagation characteristics and channel models for millimeter wave (mmWave) bands in railway scenarios, we draw important conclusions with regard to appropriate operating frequency bands for HSRs. mymargin Specifically, we have identified significant 5G-based key technologies for HSRs, such as spatial modulation, fast channel estimation, cell-free massive multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO), mmWave, efficient beamforming, wireless backhaul, ultrareliable low latency communications, and enhanced handover strategies. Based on these technologies, we have developed a complete framework of 5G technologies for smart railways and pointed out exciting future research directions.

5G Key Technologies for Smart Railways

The recent development of high-speed trains (HSTs) as an emerging high mobility transportation system, and the growing demands of broadband services for HST users, introduce new challenges to wireless communication systems for HSTs. Accurate and efficient channel models considering both large-scale and non-stationary small-scale fading characteristics are crucial for the design, performance evaluation, and parameter optimization of HST wireless communication systems. However, the characteristics of the underlying HST channels have not yet been sufficiently investigated. This paper first provides a comprehensive review of the measurement campaigns conducted in different HST scenarios and then addresses the recent advances in HST channel models. Finally, key challenges of HST channel measurements and models are discussed and several research directions in this area are outlined.

Channel Measurements and Models for High-Speed Train Communication Systems: A Survey

The recent development of high-speed trains (HSTs), as a high-mobility intelligent transportation system, and the growing demands of broad-band services for HST users, introduce new challenges to wireless communication systems for HSTs. The deployment of mobile relay stations on top of the train carriages is one of the promising solutions for HST wireless systems. For a proper design and evaluation of HST wireless communication systems, we need accurate channel models that can mimic the underlying channel characteristics for different HST scenarios. In this paper, a novel nonstationary geometry-based stochastic model (GBSM) is proposed for wideband multiple-input multiple-output HST channels in rural macrocell scenarios. The corresponding simulation model is then developed with angle parameters calculated by the modified method of equal areas. Both channel models can also be used to model nonstationary vehicle-to-infrastructure channels in vehicular communication networks. The system functions and statistical properties of the proposed channel models are investigated based on a theoretical framework that describes nonstationary channels. Numerical and simulation results demonstrate that the proposed channel models have the capability to characterize the nonstationarity of HST channels. The statistical properties of the simulation model, verified by the simulation results, can match those of the proposed theoretical GBSM. An excellent agreement is achieved between the stationary intervals of the proposed simulation model and those of relevant measurement data, demonstrating the utility of the proposed channel models.

http://home.eps.hw.ac.uk/~cw46/2015_Ammar_TITS_15_02_885

A Nonstationary Wideband MIMO Channel Model for High-Mobility Intelligent Transportation Systems

This paper presents a novel and practical study on the position-based radio propagation channel for High-Speed Railway by performing extensive measurements at 2.35 GHz in China. The specification on the path loss model is developed. In particular, small scale fading properties such as K-factor, Doppler frequency feature and time delay spread are parameterized, which show dynamic variances depending on the train location and the transceiver separation. Finally, the statistical position-based channel models are firstly established to characterize the High-Speed Railway channel, which significantly promotes the evaluation and verification of wireless communications in relative scenarios.

Position-Based Modeling for Wireless Channel on High-Speed Railway under a Viaduct at 2.35 GHz

The invention discloses a clock synchronization device and method. The clock synchronization device comprises a DC (Direct Current) block, an amplifier, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving module, a local clock reference module, a frequency dividing module, a time difference measuring module, a data processing module and an analog-digital converting module, wherein the DC block is used for outputting GPS signals from a parasitic antenna to the amplifier and cutting off a current fed back by the amplifier; the amplifier is used for amplifying the GPS signals and outputting the GPS signals to the GPS receiving module; GPS second pulse signals are obtained according to the GPS signals, and outputted to the time difference measuring module; the local clock reference module is used for outputting local clock reference signals to the frequency dividing module and correcting the local clock reference signals according to an analog voltage sent by the analog-digital converting module; the frequency dividing module is used for dividing the local clock reference signals into the second pulse signals and outputting the second pulse signals to the time difference measuring module; the time difference measuring module is used for measuring the time difference between the local clock second pulse signals and the GPS second pulse signals, and sending the time difference to the data processing module; a frequency deviation is obtained according to the time difference and sent to the analog-digital converting module; the analog-digital converting module is used for converting the frequency deviation into an analog voltage and sending the analog voltage to the local clock reference module. According to the invention, the clock synchronization precision is improved.

Dong Weihui

Papers

Position-Based Modeling for Wireless Channel on High-Speed Railway under a Viaduct at 2.35 GHz

Clock synchronization device and method