This paper provides an overview of the state-of-the-art radio propagation and channel models for wireless multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. We distinguish between physical models and analytical models and discuss popular examples from both model types. Physical models focus on the double-directional propagation mechanisms between the location of transmitter and receiver without taking the antenna configuration into account. Analytical models capture physical wave propagation and antenna configuration simultaneously by describing the impulse response (equivalently, the transfer function) between the antenna arrays at both link ends. We also review some MIMO models that are included in current standardization activities for the purpose of reproducible and comparable MIMO system evaluations. Finally, we describe a couple of key features of channels and radio propagation which are not sufficiently included in current MIMO models.

This paper discusses over-the-air (OTA) test setup for multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) capable terminals with emphasis on channel modelling. The setup is composed of a fading emulator, an anechoic chamber, and multiple probes. Creation of a propagation environment inside an anechoic chamber requires unconventional radio channel modelling, namely, a specific mapping of the original models onto the probe antennas. We introduce two novel methods to generate fading emulator channel coefficients; the prefaded signals synthesis and the plane wave synthesis. To verify both methods we present a set of simulation results. We also show that the geometric description is a prerequisite for the original channel model.

No abstract

Abstract-Radiated testing of massive multiple-input-multipleoutput (MIMO) devices in fading radio channel conditions is expected to be essential in development of the fifth generation (5G) base stations (BS) and user equipment (UE) operating at or close to the millimetre wave (mm-wave) frequencies. In this paper we present a setup upgrading the multi-probe anechoic chamber based system designed originally for 4G UE. We describe methods for mapping radio channel models onto the probe configuration and discuss the differences to the former 4G case. We also propose metrics to assess the accuracy of the test setup and find key design parameters by simulations. The results with the utilized channel models indicate that at 28 GHz up to 16 × 16 planar arrays can be tested with range length of one meter and with at minimum eight active dual polarized probes.

With the severe spectrum congestion of sub-6GHz cellular systems, large-scale antenna systems in the millimeter-wave (mmWave) bands can potentially meet the high data rate envisioned for fifth generation (5G) communications. Performance evaluation of antenna systems is an essential step in the product design and development stage. However, conventional cable conducted test methods are not applicable for mmWave devices. There is a strong need for over-the-air (OTA) radiated methods, where mmWave device performance can be evaluated in a reliable, repeatable, and feasible way in laboratory conditions. In this article, radiated testing methods are reviewed, with a focus on their principle and applicability for beam steerable mmWave devices. To explore the spatial sparsity of mmWave channel profiles, a cost-effective simplified 3D sectored multi-probe anechoic chamber (MPAC) system with an OTA antenna selection scheme is proposed. This setup is suitable for evaluation of beam-steerable devices, including both base station (BS) and user equipment (UE) devices. The requirements for the test system design are analyzed, including the measurement range, number of OTA antennas, number of active OTA antennas and amount of channel emulator resource. Finally, several metrics to validate system performance are described for evaluation of mmWave devices.

Conventional conductive method, where antennas on the device under test (DUT) are disconnected from antenna ports and replaced with radio frequency (RF) coaxial cables, has been dominantly utilized in industry to evaluate multiple-input multiple-output capable terminals. However, direct RF cable connection introduces many practical problems and a radiated method to replace cable connection is highly desirable. Existing wireless cable method relies on the knowledge of a transfer matrix between the channel emulator (CE) output ports and DUT antenna ports, and also requires an anechoic chamber, which might be impractical and expensive. In this paper, a novel wireless cable method is proposed and experimentally validated. By recording the average power (i.e., reference signal received power in the long-term evolution) per DUT antenna port and selecting optimal complex weights at the CE output ports, a wireless cable connection can be achieved. The proposed method can be executed in a small RF shielded anechoic box and offers low system cost, high measurement reliability, and repeatability.

No abstract

How well do upper millimeter-wave and terahertz frequency bands enable wireless communications? In this work, we approximate the current and estimate the future communication potential with emphasis on antenna and radio frequency hardware technologies, and radio propagation challenges. This is done by performing link budget evaluations with justified estimates of link budget calculus terms, such as the achievable or required noise figure, transmit power, and antenna gain. Estimates are based on current enabling technologies and needs to advance those. In RF viewpoint the bottlenecks are in generating sufficiently high transmit power and low noise with the support of very high antenna gains. As an example, we discuss opportunities around 300 GHz frequency. Challenges to support 100 Gb/s bit rate at 30 GHz bandwidth on 10-meter link distance is analyzed for different kind of devices.