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A Switched Array Sounder for Dynamic Millimeter-Wave Channel Characterization: Design, Implementation and Measurements

Cai, Xuesong LU ; Bengtsson, Erik L LU ; Edfors, Ove LU orcid and Tufvesson, Fredrik LU orcid (2024) In IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation
Abstract
A prerequisite for the design and evaluation of wireless systems is the understanding of propagation channels. While abundant propagation knowledge exists for bands below 6 GHz, the same is not true for millimeter-wave frequencies. In this paper, we present the design, implementation and measurement-based verification of a re-configurable 27.5-29.5 GHz channel sounder. Based on the switched array principle, our design is capable of characterizing 128×256 dynamic double-directional dual-polarized channels with snapshot times of around 600 ms. This is in sharp contrast to measurement times on the order of tens-of-minutes of sounders by rotating horn antennas. The antenna arrays at both link ends are calibrated in an anechoic chamber with... (More)
A prerequisite for the design and evaluation of wireless systems is the understanding of propagation channels. While abundant propagation knowledge exists for bands below 6 GHz, the same is not true for millimeter-wave frequencies. In this paper, we present the design, implementation and measurement-based verification of a re-configurable 27.5-29.5 GHz channel sounder. Based on the switched array principle, our design is capable of characterizing 128×256 dynamic double-directional dual-polarized channels with snapshot times of around 600 ms. This is in sharp contrast to measurement times on the order of tens-of-minutes of sounders by rotating horn antennas. The antenna arrays at both link ends are calibrated in an anechoic chamber with high angular sampling intervals of 3 degrees in azimuth and elevation domains, which enables de-embedding the system responses of the sounder from the propagation channels. This is complemented with a bandwidth of up to 2 GHz, i.e., nanosecond-level delay resolution. The short measurement times and stable radio frequency design facilitate real-time processing of the received wavefronts to enhance measurement dynamic range. After disclosing the sounder design and implementation, we demonstrate its capabilities by presenting a measurement campaign at 28 GHz in an indoor lab environment. (Less)
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author
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Contribution to journal
publication status
in press
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IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation
publisher
IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISSN
0018-926X
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
42028e8f-1ff7-413f-812c-61711bf66489
date added to LUP
2023-03-03 12:29:01
date last changed
2024-06-20 22:28:36
@article{42028e8f-1ff7-413f-812c-61711bf66489,
  abstract     = {{A prerequisite for the design and evaluation of wireless systems is the understanding of propagation channels. While abundant propagation knowledge exists for bands below 6 GHz, the same is not true for millimeter-wave frequencies. In this paper, we present the design, implementation and measurement-based verification of a re-configurable 27.5-29.5 GHz channel sounder. Based on the switched array principle, our design is capable of characterizing 128×256 dynamic double-directional dual-polarized channels with snapshot times of around 600 ms. This is in sharp contrast to measurement times on the order of tens-of-minutes of sounders by rotating horn antennas. The antenna arrays at both link ends are calibrated in an anechoic chamber with high angular sampling intervals of 3 degrees in azimuth and elevation domains, which enables de-embedding the system responses of the sounder from the propagation channels. This is complemented with a bandwidth of up to 2 GHz, i.e., nanosecond-level delay resolution. The short measurement times and stable radio frequency design facilitate real-time processing of the received wavefronts to enhance measurement dynamic range. After disclosing the sounder design and implementation, we demonstrate its capabilities by presenting a measurement campaign at 28 GHz in an indoor lab environment.}},
  author       = {{Cai, Xuesong and Bengtsson, Erik L and Edfors, Ove and Tufvesson, Fredrik}},
  issn         = {{0018-926X}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.}},
  series       = {{IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation}},
  title        = {{A Switched Array Sounder for Dynamic Millimeter-Wave Channel Characterization: Design, Implementation and Measurements}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/184603168/mmWave_switched_array_channel_sounder_paper.pdf}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}