Demystifying 60GHz outdoor picocells

Abstract

Mobile network traffic is set to explode in our near future, driven by the growth of bandwidth-hungry media applications. Current capacity solutions, including buying spectrum, WiFi offloading, and LTE picocells, are unlikely to supply the orders-of-magnitude bandwidth increase we need. In this paper, we explore a dramatically different alternative in the form of 60GHz mmwave picocells with highly directional links. While industry is investigating other mmwave bands (e.g. 28GHz to avoid oxygen absorption), we prefer the unlicensed 60GHz band with highly directional, short-range links (∼100m). 60GHz links truly reap the spatial reuse benefits of small cells while delivering high per-user data rates and leveraging efforts on indoor 60GHz PHY technology and standards. Using extensive measurements on off-the-shelf 60GHz radios and systemlevel simulations, we explore the feasibility of 60GHz picocells by characterizing range, attenuation due to reflections, sensitivity to movement and blockage, and interference in typical urban environments. Our results dispel some common myths, and show that there are no fundamental physical barriers to high-capacity 60GHz outdoor picocells. We conclude by identifying open challenges and associated research opportunities.

Evaluating the Impact of User Behavior on D2D Communications in Millimeter-Wave Small Cells

“…In terms of small cells in the mmWave bands, most works focused on using bands in 28GHz, 38GHz and 73GHz to attain communication ranges in the order of 200 m or even more [9]. Zhu et al [10] proposed a 60GHz picocell architecture to augment with existing LTE networks for achieving a significant increase in capacity.…”

Millimeter Wave Communications

“…More advanced mmWave radios use phased-array antennas, which can be steered electronically. Still, current phased array mmWave radios require multiple seconds to scan the space with their beams to find the best alignment [39]. Taking a long delay before aligning the beams may be acceptable in today's fixed point-to-point links.…”

“…Indeed, existing products can take seconds to converge [39]. Thus, multiple proposals have been introduced to optimize the steering time.…”

“…3 However, none of these systems present a steering algorithm or measurements of steering delays. In fact, current products are designed for static links [29,1]; they take a long time to steer the beam and are not suitable for mobile or multi-user networks [39].…”

Correlation based phase noise compensation in 60 GHz wireless systems

“…While research into 60 GHz communication originally has been focused on high throughput in-room links, it is now under consideration for the next generation cellular systems [1] [2].…”