Millimeter-Wave Cellular Wireless Networks: Potentials and Challenges
05 Feb 2014-Vol. 102, Iss: 3, pp 366-385
TL;DR: Measurements and capacity studies are surveyed to assess mmW technology with a focus on small cell deployments in urban environments and it is shown that mmW systems can offer more than an order of magnitude increase in capacity over current state-of-the-art 4G cellular networks at current cell densities.
Abstract: Millimeter-wave (mmW) frequencies between 30 and 300 GHz are a new frontier for cellular communication that offers the promise of orders of magnitude greater bandwidths combined with further gains via beamforming and spatial multiplexing from multielement antenna arrays. This paper surveys measurements and capacity studies to assess this technology with a focus on small cell deployments in urban environments. The conclusions are extremely encouraging; measurements in New York City at 28 and 73 GHz demonstrate that, even in an urban canyon environment, significant non-line-of-sight (NLOS) outdoor, street-level coverage is possible up to approximately 200 m from a potential low-power microcell or picocell base station. In addition, based on statistical channel models from these measurements, it is shown that mmW systems can offer more than an order of magnitude increase in capacity over current state-of-the-art 4G cellular networks at current cell densities. Cellular systems, however, will need to be significantly redesigned to fully achieve these gains. Specifically, the requirement of highly directional and adaptive transmissions, directional isolation between links, and significant possibilities of outage have strong implications on multiple access, channel structure, synchronization, and receiver design. To address these challenges, the paper discusses how various technologies including adaptive beamforming, multihop relaying, heterogeneous network architectures, and carrier aggregation can be leveraged in the mmW context.
Citations
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01 May 2017
TL;DR: In this article, the optimal number of antennas at both macro BS and small-cell BSs that maximize the energy efficiency of the system when a hybrid transceiver architecture is employed is analyzed.
Abstract: This work analyzes a mmWave single-cell network, which comprises a macro base station (BS) and an overlaid tier of small-cell BSs using a wireless backhaul for data traffic. We look for the optimal number of antennas at both BS and small-cell BSs that maximize the energy efficiency (EE) of the system when a hybrid transceiver architecture is employed. Closed-form expressions for the EE-optimal values of the number of antennas are derived that provide valuable insights into the interplay between the optimization variables and hardware characteristics. Numerical and analytical results show that the maximal EE is achieved by a ‘close-to’ fully-digital system wherein the number of BS antennas is approximately equal to the number of served small cells.
9 citations
09 Mar 2015
TL;DR: The proposed extended control plane can assist UEs to discover and access mm-wave BSs successfully and support LTE macro cells to jointly control the radio resources of both LTE and WiGig, so as to improve spectrum efficiency.
Abstract: Heterogeneous networks (HetNet) with different radio access technologies have been deployed to support a range of communication services. To manage these HetNets efficiently, some interworking solutions such as MIH (media independent handover), ANQP (access network query protocol) or ANDSF (access network discovery and selection function) have been studied. Recently, the millimeter-wave (mm-wave) based HetNet has been explored to provide multi-gigabits-per-second data rates over short distances in the 60 GHz frequency band. WiGig is one of the available radio access technologies using mm-wave. However, the conventional interworking solutions are not sufficient for the implementation of LTE/WiGig HetNets. Since the coverage area of WiGig is very small due to the high propagation loss of the mm-wave band signal, it is difficult for UEs to perform cell discovery and handover if using conventional LTE/WLAN interworking solutions, which do not support specific techniques of WiGig, such as beamforming and new media access methods. This paper proposes a RAN (radio access network)-level coupled LTE/WiGig interworking architecture and a LTE/WiGig protocol adaptor to process and transfer control signaling and user data traffic. The proposed extended control plane can assist UEs to discover and access mm-wave BSs successfully and support LTE macro cells to jointly control the radio resources of both LTE and WiGig, so as to improve spectrum efficiency. Simulation results show that LTE/WiGig HetNets with the proposed interworking solution can decrease inter-cell handover and improve user throughput significantly.
9 citations
23 Apr 2020
TL;DR: A delay-origin uncertainty model for describing the conditional distribution of the delays in CIR given node positions is proposed, and a scalable localization algorithm is designed using belief propagation on a factor graph that incorporates the uncertainty model.
Abstract: Location-awareness using wireless signals is a key enabler for numerous emerging applications. Inspired by the recently proposed soft information (SI)-based localization, this paper develops a localization algorithm based on estimates of the channel impulse response (CIR), which inherently contains position information. We propose a delay-origin uncertainty model for describing the conditional distribution of the delays in CIR given node positions. A scalable localization algorithm is designed using belief propagation (BP) on a factor graph that incorporates the uncertainty model. The performance of the developed algorithm is quantified for mmWave signals using QuaDriGa channel simulator, showing decimeter-level localization accuracy in typical indoor environments.
9 citations
Cites background from "Millimeter-Wave Cellular Wireless N..."
...Typical localization systems are based on specific technologies or communication systems including Wi-Fi [20]–[25], Bluetooth [26]–[29], ultra-wideband (UWB) [30]–[38], and mmWave [39]–[42]....
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TL;DR: During the progress of CMMG WLAN standardization, some new key technologies were introduced to adapt the millimeter-wave characteristic, including the usage of the zero correlation zone (ZCZ) sequence, a novel lower density parity check code (LDPC)based packet encoding, and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) single carrier transmission.
Abstract: This paper presents an overview of the advance of the China millimeter-wave multiple gigabit (CMMG) wireless local area network (WLAN) system which operates in the 45 GHz frequency band. The CMMG WLAN system adopts the multiple antennas technologies to support data rate up to 15 Gbps. During the progress of CMMG WLAN standardization, some new key technologies were introduced to adapt the millimeter-wave characteristic, including the usage of the zero correlation zone (ZCZ) sequence, a novel lower density parity check code (LDPC)based packet encoding, and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) single carrier transmission. Extensive numerical results and system prototype test are also given to validate the performance of the technologies adopted by CMMG WLAN system. key words: millimeter wave communications, wireless local area network (WLAN), zero correlation zone, single carrier, MIMO
9 citations
01 Aug 2016
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a wideband subarray at the frequency range from 28 GHz to 32 GHz, i.e., the frequency band applied for Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS), to be used in the antenna array design of next generation mobile networks.
Abstract: There is a global trend towards migrating to millimeter wave frequencies in the fifth generation of mobile communications (5G) to further enhance the available capacity and data rates. Antenna arrays are usually applied to overcome the innate high path loss at the millimeter wave (mmW) frequency band. Moreover, the use of subarrays decreases design complexity and system cost. The goal of this paper is to present a design of a wideband subarray at the frequency range from 28 GHz to 32 GHz, i.e. the frequency range applied for Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS), to be used in the antenna array design of next generation mobile networks. The proposed subarray consists of four radiating elements of proximity coupled stacked patch antennas. The unit-cell is first designed, fabricated and tested, which confirms the wideband coverage along the required band. The proposed subarray achieves a simulated gain that ranges between 11.1 dB and 12 dB along the frequency band from 28 GHz to 32 GHz. The impedance bandwidth and the 1-dB gain bandwidth are 30% and 21.2%, respectively.
9 citations
References
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Book•
15 Jan 1996
TL;DR: WireWireless Communications: Principles and Practice, Second Edition is the definitive modern text for wireless communications technology and system design as discussed by the authors, which covers the fundamental issues impacting all wireless networks and reviews virtually every important new wireless standard and technological development, offering especially comprehensive coverage of the 3G systems and wireless local area networks (WLANs).
Abstract: From the Publisher:
The indispensable guide to wireless communicationsnow fully revised and updated!
Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice, Second Edition is the definitive modern text for wireless communications technology and system design. Building on his classic first edition, Theodore S. Rappaport covers the fundamental issues impacting all wireless networks and reviews virtually every important new wireless standard and technological development, offering especially comprehensive coverage of the 3G systems and wireless local area networks (WLANs) that will transform communications in the coming years. Rappaport illustrates each key concept with practical examples, thoroughly explained and solved step by step.
Coverage includes:
An overview of key wireless technologies: voice, data, cordless, paging, fixed and mobile broadband wireless systems, and beyond
Wireless system design fundamentals: channel assignment, handoffs, trunking efficiency, interference, frequency reuse, capacity planning, large-scale fading, and more
Path loss, small-scale fading, multipath, reflection, diffraction, scattering, shadowing, spatial-temporal channel modeling, and microcell/indoor propagation
Modulation, equalization, diversity, channel coding, and speech coding
New wireless LAN technologies: IEEE 802.11a/b, HIPERLAN, BRAN, and other alternatives
New 3G air interface standards, including W-CDMA, cdma2000, GPRS, UMTS, and EDGE
Bluetooth wearable computers, fixed wireless and Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS), and other advanced technologies
Updated glossary of abbreviations and acronyms, and a thorolist of references
Dozens of new examples and end-of-chapter problems
Whether you're a communications/network professional, manager, researcher, or student, Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice, Second Edition gives you an in-depth understanding of the state of the art in wireless technologytoday's and tomorrow's.
17,102 citations
"Millimeter-Wave Cellular Wireless N..." refers background in this paper
...Also, the human body and many outdoor materials being very reflective, allow them to be important scatterers for mmW propagation [28], [30]....
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...However, these measurements were performed in an outdoor campus setting with much lower building density and greater opportunities for LOS connectivity than would be found in a typical urban deployment....
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...Despite the potential of mmW cellular systems, there are a number of key challenges to realizing the vision of cellular networks in these bands: • Range and directional communication: Friis’ transmis- sion law [54] states that the free space omnidirectional path loss grows with the square of the…...
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TL;DR: The motivation for new mm-wave cellular systems, methodology, and hardware for measurements are presented and a variety of measurement results are offered that show 28 and 38 GHz frequencies can be used when employing steerable directional antennas at base stations and mobile devices.
Abstract: The global bandwidth shortage facing wireless carriers has motivated the exploration of the underutilized millimeter wave (mm-wave) frequency spectrum for future broadband cellular communication networks. There is, however, little knowledge about cellular mm-wave propagation in densely populated indoor and outdoor environments. Obtaining this information is vital for the design and operation of future fifth generation cellular networks that use the mm-wave spectrum. In this paper, we present the motivation for new mm-wave cellular systems, methodology, and hardware for measurements and offer a variety of measurement results that show 28 and 38 GHz frequencies can be used when employing steerable directional antennas at base stations and mobile devices.
6,708 citations
"Millimeter-Wave Cellular Wireless N..." refers background or methods in this paper
...In both 28- and 73-GHz measurements, each point was classified as either being in a NLOS or LOS situation, based on a manual classification made at the time of the measurements; see [26] and [28]–[33]....
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...• Empirical NYC: These curves are based on the omnidirectional path loss predicted by our linear model (1) for the mmW channel with the parameters from Table 1, as derived from the directional measurements in [26]....
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...Details of the measurements can be found in [26], [28]– [33], [81]....
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...This tremendous potential has led to considerable recent interest in mmW cellular both in industry [7]–[9], [18], [19] and academia [20]–[26], with a growing belief that mmW bands will play a significant role in beyond 4G and 5G cellular systems [27]....
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...In particular, we survey our own measurements [26], [28]–[33] made in New York City (NYC) in both 28- and 73-GHz bands and the statistical models for the channels developed in [34]....
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TL;DR: The gains in multiuser systems are even more impressive, because such systems offer the possibility to transmit simultaneously to several users and the flexibility to select what users to schedule for reception at any given point in time.
Abstract: Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology is maturing and is being incorporated into emerging wireless broadband standards like long-term evolution (LTE) [1]. For example, the LTE standard allows for up to eight antenna ports at the base station. Basically, the more antennas the transmitter/receiver is equipped with, and the more degrees of freedom that the propagation channel can provide, the better the performance in terms of data rate or link reliability. More precisely, on a quasi static channel where a code word spans across only one time and frequency coherence interval, the reliability of a point-to-point MIMO link scales according to Prob(link outage) ` SNR-ntnr where nt and nr are the numbers of transmit and receive antennas, respectively, and signal-to-noise ratio is denoted by SNR. On a channel that varies rapidly as a function of time and frequency, and where circumstances permit coding across many channel coherence intervals, the achievable rate scales as min(nt, nr) log(1 + SNR). The gains in multiuser systems are even more impressive, because such systems offer the possibility to transmit simultaneously to several users and the flexibility to select what users to schedule for reception at any given point in time [2].
5,158 citations
"Millimeter-Wave Cellular Wireless N..." refers background in this paper
...These multiple antenna systems can be used to form very high gain, electrically steerable arrays, fabricated at the base station (BS), in the skin of a cellphone, or even within a chip [6], [10]–[17]....
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe five technologies that could lead to both architectural and component disruptive design changes: device-centric architectures, millimeter wave, massive MIMO, smarter devices, and native support for machine-to-machine communications.
Abstract: New research directions will lead to fundamental changes in the design of future fifth generation (5G) cellular networks. This article describes five technologies that could lead to both architectural and component disruptive design changes: device-centric architectures, millimeter wave, massive MIMO, smarter devices, and native support for machine-to-machine communications. The key ideas for each technology are described, along with their potential impact on 5G and the research challenges that remain.
3,711 citations
TL;DR: The technical and business arguments for femtocells are overview and the state of the art on each front is described and the technical challenges facing femtocell networks are described and some preliminary ideas for how to overcome them are given.
Abstract: The surest way to increase the system capacity of a wireless link is by getting the transmitter and receiver closer to each other, which creates the dual benefits of higher-quality links and more spatial reuse. In a network with nomadic users, this inevitably involves deploying more infrastructure, typically in the form of microcells, hot spots, distributed antennas, or relays. A less expensive alternative is the recent concept of femtocells - also called home base stations - which are data access points installed by home users to get better indoor voice and data coverage. In this article we overview the technical and business arguments for femtocells and describe the state of the art on each front. We also describe the technical challenges facing femtocell networks and give some preliminary ideas for how to overcome them.
3,298 citations
"Millimeter-Wave Cellular Wireless N..." refers background in this paper
...Heterogeneous networks, or HetNets, have been one of the most active research areas in cellular standards bodies in the last five years [45], [48], [67], [68], with the main focus being intercell interference coordination and load balancing....
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