Ultra-Wideband Wireless Channels - Estimation, Modeling and Material Characterization

This licentiate thesis is focused on the characterization of ultra-wideband wireless channels. The thesis presents results on ultra-wideband communications as well as on the ultra-wideband characterization of materials. The communications related work consisted in the measurement and modeling of outdoor scenarios envisioned for infostation systems. By infostation, we mean a communication system covering a small area, i.e., ranging up to 20 m, where mobile users can pass by or stop while receiving large amounts of data in a short period of time. Considering the expected (but perhaps overly optimistic) 480 Mbps for UWB systems, it should be possible to download a complete DVD in roughly two minutes, which is something not realizable with any of the current wireless technologies. Channel models, commonly based on measurements, can be used to evaluate the performance of such systems. We therefore, we started by performing measurements at one of the scenarios where infostation systems can exist in the future, namely, petrol stations. The idealized model, was one that could correctly describe the continuous evolution of the channel impulse response for a moving user within the system’s range, and therefore it was deemed necessary to track the multipath components defining the impulse responses along a path of several meters. To solve this problem we designed a novel high-resolution scatterer detection method, which is described in Paper I, capable of tracking individual multipath components for a moving user by identifying the originating point scatterers in a two dimensional geometrical space. The same paper also gives insight on some properties of clusters of scatterers, such as their direction-selective radiated power. The scatterer detection method described in Paper I provided us with the required tools to create the channel model described in Paper II. The proposed channel model has a geometrical basis, i.e., each realization of the channel is based on a virtual map containing point scatterers that contribute to the impulse response by multipath components. Some of the particular characteristics of the model include non-stationary effects, such as shadowing and cluster’s visibility regions. At the end of Paper II, in a simple validation step, the output of the channel model showed a good match with the measured impulse responses. The second part of our work, documented in Paper III, consisted on the dielectric characterization of soil samples using microwave measurements. This project was made in cooperation with the Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Analysis at Lund University, which had been developing research work on methane emissions from the wetlands in Zackenberg, Greenland. In recent years, a lot of attention has been put into the understanding of the methane emissions from soils, since methane is a greenhouse gas 20 times stronger than carbon dioxide. However, whereas the methane emissions from natural soils are well documented, the reason behind this effect is an open issue. The usage of microwave measurements to monitor soil samples, aims to address this problem by capturing the sub-surface changes in the soil during gas emissions. An experiment consisting on the monitoring of a soil sample was performed, and a good correlation was found between the variations of the microwave signals and the methane emissions. In addition, the soil dielectric constant was calculated, and from that, the volumetric fractions of the soil constituents which provided useful data for the elaboration of models to describe the gas emission triggering mechanisms. Based on this laboratory experiment, a complete soil monitoring system was created and is at the time of writing running at Zackenberg, Greenland

Estimation of Sparse MIMO Channels with Common Support

We consider the problem of estimating sparse communication channels in the MIMO context. In small to medium bandwidth communications, as in the current standards for OFDM and CDMA communication systems (with bandwidth up to 20 MHz), such channels are individually sparse and at the same time share a common support set. Since the underlying physical channels are inherently continuous-time, we propose a parametric sparse estimation technique based on finite rate of innovation (FRI) principles. Parametric estimation is especially relevant to MIMO communications as it allows for a robust estimation and concise description of the channels. The core of the algorithm is a generalization of conventional spectral estimation methods to multiple input signals with common support. We show the application of our technique for channel estimation in OFDM (uniformly/contiguous DFT pilots) and CDMA downlink (Walsh-Hadamard coded schemes). In the presence of additive white Gaussian noise, theoretical lower bounds on the estimation of SCS channel parameters in Rayleigh fading conditions are derived. Finally, an analytical spatial channel model is derived, and simulations on this model in the OFDM setting show the symbol error rate (SER) is reduced by a factor 2 (0 dB of SNR) to 5 (high SNR) compared to standard non-parametric methods - e.g. lowpass interpolation.Comment: 12 pages / 7 figures. Submitted to IEEE Transactions on Communicatio

Geometry-based Radio Channel Characterization and Modeling: Parameterization, Implementation and Validation

The propagation channel determines the fundamental basis of wireless communications, as well as the actual performance of practical systems. Therefore, having good channel models is a prerequisite for developing the next generation wireless systems. This thesis first investigates one of the main channel model building blocks, namely clusters. To understand the concept of clusters and channel characterization precisely, a measurement based ray launching tool has been implemented (Paper I). Clusters and their physical interpretation are studied by using the implemented ray launching tool (Paper II). Also, this thesis studies the COST 2100 channel model, which is a geometry-based channel model using the concept of clusters. A complete parameter set for the outdoor sub-urban scenario is extracted and validated for the COST 2100 channel model (Paper III). This thesis offers valuable insights on multi-link channel modeling, where it will be widely used in the next generation wireless systems (Paper IV and Paper V). In addition, positioning and localization by using the phase information of multi-path components, which are estimated and tracked from the radio channels, are investigated in this thesis (Paper VI). Clusters are extensively used in geometry-based stochastic channel models, such as the COST 2100 and WINNER II channel models. In order to gain a better understanding of the properties of clusters, thus the characteristics of wireless channels, a measurement based ray launching tool has been implemented for outdoor scenarios in Paper I. With this ray launching tool, we visualize the most likely propagation paths together with the measured channel and a detail floor plan of the measured environment. The measurement based ray launching tool offers valuable insights of the interacting physical scatterers of the propagation paths and provides a good interpretation of propagation paths. It shows significant advantages for further channel analysis and modeling, e.g., multi-link channel modeling. \par The properties of clusters depend on how clusters are identified. Generally speaking, there are two kinds of clusters: parameter based clusters are characterized with the parameters of the associated multi-path components; physical clusters are determined based on the interacting physical scatterers of the multi-path components. It is still an open issue on how the physical clusters behave compared to the parameter based clusters and therefore we analyze this in more detail in Paper II. In addition, based on the concept of physical clusters, we extract modeling parameters for the COST 2100 channel model with sub-urban and urban micro-cell measurements. Further, we validate these parameters with the current COST 2100 channel model MATLAB implementation. The COST 2100 channel model is one of the best candidates for the next generation wireless systems. Researchers have made efforts to extract the parameters in an indoor scenario, but the parameterization of outdoor scenarios is missing. Paper III fills this blank, where, first, cluster parameters and cluster time-variant properties are obtained from the 300~MHz measurements by using a joint clustering and tracking algorithm. Parameterization of the COST 2100 channel model for single-link outdoor MIMO communication at 300~MHz is conducted in Paper III. In addition, validation of the channel model is performed for the considered scenario by comparing simulated and measured delay spreads, spatial correlations, singular value distributions and antenna correlations. Channel modeling for multi-link MIMO systems plays an important role for the developing of the next generation wireless systems. In general, it is essential to capture the correlations between multi-link as well as their correlation statistics. In Paper IV, correlation between large-scale parameters for a macro cell scenario at 2.6 GHz has been analyzed. It has been found that the parameters of different links can be correlated even if the base stations are far away from each other. When both base stations were in the same direction compared to the movement, the large-scale parameters of the different links had a tendency to be positively correlated, but slightly negatively correlated when the base stations were located in different directions compared to the movement of the mobile terminal. Paper IV focuses more on multi-site investigations, and paper V gives valuable insights for multi-user scenarios. In the COST 2100 channel model, common clusters are proposed for multi-link channel modeling. Therefore, shared scatterers among the different links are investigated in paper V, which reflects the physical existence of common clusters. We observe that, as the MS separation distance is increasing, the number of common clusters is decreasing and the cross-correlation between multiple links is decreasing as well. Multi-link MIMO simulations are also performed using the COST 2100 channel model and the parameters of the extracted common clusters are detailed in paper V. It has been demonstrated that the common clusters can represent multi-link properties well with respect to inter-link correlation and sum rate capacity. Positioning has attracted a lot of attention both in the industry and academia during the past decades. In Paper VI, positioning with accuracy down to centimeters has been demonstrated, where the phase information of multi-path components from the measured channels is used. First of all, an extended Kalman filter is implemented to process the channel data, and the phases of a number of MPCs are tracked. The tracked phases are converted into relative distance measures. Position estimates are obtained with a method based on so called structure-of-motion. In Paper VI, circular movements have been successfully tracked with a root-mean-square error around 4 cm when using a bandwidth of 40 MHz. It has been demonstrated that phase based positioning is a promising technique for positioning with accuracy down to centimeters when using a standard cellular bandwidth. In summary, this thesis has made efforts for the implementation of the COST 2100 channel model, including providing model parameters and validating such parameters, investigating multi-link channel properties, and suggesting implementations of the channel model. The thesis also has made contributions to the tools and algorithms that can be used for general channel characterizations, i.e., clustering algorithm, ray launching tool, EKF algorithm. In addition, this thesis work is the first to propose a practical positioning method by utilizing the distance estimated from the phases of the tracked multi-path components and showed a preliminary and promising result

Estimation of the Reception Angle Distribution Based on the Power Delay Spectrum or Profile

The paper presents an estimation of the reception angle distribution based on temporal characteristics such as the power delay spectrum (PDS) or power delay profile (PDP). Here, we focus on such wireless environment, where the propagation phenomenon predominates in azimuth plane. As a basis to determine probability density function (PDF) of the angle of arrival (AOA), a geometrical channel model (GCM) in form of the multielliptical model for delayed scattering components and the von Mises’ PDF for local scattering components are used. Therefore, this estimator is called the distribution based on multielliptical model (DBMM). The parameters of GCM are defined on the basis of the PDS or PDP and the relative position of the transmitter and the receiver. In contrast to the previously known statistical models, DBMM ensures the estimation PDF of AOA by using the temporal characteristics of the channel for differing propagation conditions. Based on the results of measurements taken from the literature, DBMM verification, assessment of accuracy, and comparison with other models are shown. The results of comparison show that DBMM is the only model that provides the smallest least-squares error for different environments

On geometry-base statistical channel models for MIMO wireles communications

El uso de sistemas de comunicación de banda ancha de múltiple entradamúltiple salida (Multiple Input Multiple Output MIMO) es actualmente objeto de un interés considerable. Una razón para esto es el reciente desarrollo de sistemas de comunicación móvil de tercera generación (3G) y superiores, tales como la tecnología de banda ancha Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA, por sus siglas en inglés), la cual proporciona canales de radio de 5 MHz de ancho de banda. Para el diseño y la simulación de estos sistemas de radio móviles que usan propagación inalámbrica MIMO (como Wideband-CDMA por ejemplo), necesitamos modelos de canal que provean la requerida información espacial y temporal necesaria para el estudio de tales sistemas, esto es, los parámetros básicos de modelado en los dominios del espacio y el tiempo. Como ejemplo podemos mencionar, el valor cuadrático medio de la dispersión del retardo (Delay spread DS) el cual está directamente relacionado a la capacidad de un sistema de comunicación específico y nos da una idea aproximada de la complejidad del receptor. En esta tesis, se propone un modelo basado en geometría con enfoque en grupos (clusters) y es utilizado para el análisis en los dominios del espacio y el tiempo para condiciones estacionarias, y para representar los perfiles de potencia-angulo-retardo (Power Delay Angle Profiles PDAPs) de los componentes multi-trayectoria en ambientes urbanos. Además, se han derivado soluciones en formas cerradas para las expresiones en el dominio del ángulo (espacial) y del tiempo. La investigación previa sobre el modelado de canales cubre una amplia variedad de aspectos en varios niveles de detalle, incluyendo análisis para condiciones no estacionarias. Sin embargo el trabajo presentado en la literatura no incluye las relaciones entre los grupos (cluster) físicos y los PDAPs. El modelo propuesto basado en grupos (clusters) puede ser usado para mejorar aún más el desempeño en condiciones estacionarias de los sistemas de comunicaciones móviles actuales y futuros tales como los sistemas de comunicación MIMO de banda ancha. En la tesis también se presenta un análisis en el dominio del ángulo (espacial) y del tiempo respectivamente, a través de las funciones densidad de probabilidad (PDF) de la dirección de llegada (Direction of Arrival DOA) y el tiempo de llegada (Time of Arrival TOA) para el modelo basado en grupos. A fin de evaluar las funciones de probabilidad teóricas derivadas, éstas han sido comparadas con resultados experimentales publicados en la literatura. La comparación con estos resultados experimentales muestran una buena concordancia, no obstante la técnica de modelado presentada en esta tesis se encuentra limitada a condiciones estacionarias del canal. La condición de no estacionariedad se ubica más allá del alcance de esta tesis, es decir, el modelo propuesto no incorpora el efecto Doppler en los análisis

A Complexity-Efficient High Resolution Propagation Parameter Estimation Algorithm for Ultra-Wideband Large-Scale Uniform Circular Array

Millimeter wave (mm-wave) communication with large-scale antenna array configuration is seen as the key enabler of the next generation communication systems. Accurate knowledge of the mm-wave propagation channels is fundamental and essential. In this contribution, a novel complexity-efficient high resolution parameter estimation (HRPE) algorithm is proposed for the mm-wave channel with large-scale uniform circular array (UCA) applied. The proposed algorithm is able to obtain the high-resolution estimation results of the spherical channel propagation parameters. The prior channel information in the delay domain, i.e., the delay trajectories of individual propagation paths observed across the array elements, is exploited, by combining the high-resolution estimation principle and the phase mode excitation technique. Fast initializations, effective interference cancellations and reduced searching spaces achieved by the proposed schemes significantly decrease the algorithm complexity. Furthermore, the channel spatial non-stationarity in path gain across the array elements is considered for the first time in the literature for propagation parameter estimation, which is beneficial to obtain more realistic results as well as to decrease the complexity. A mm-wave measurement campaign at the frequency band of 28-30 GHz using a large-scale UCA is exploited to demonstrate and validate the proposed HRPE algorithm.Comment: Single column, 28 pages. In review process with IEEE Transactions on Communication

Empirical multi-band characterization of propagation with modelling aspects for communictions

Diese Arbeit präsentiert eine empirische Untersuchung der Wellenausbreitung für drahtlose Kommunikation im Millimeterwellen- und sub-THz-Band, wobei als Referenz das bereits bekannte und untersuchte sub-6-GHz-Band verwendet wird. Die großen verfügbaren Bandbreiten in diesen hohen Frequenzbändern erlauben die Verwendung hoher instantaner Bandbreiten zur Erfüllung der wesentlichen Anforderungen zukünftiger Mobilfunktechnologien (5G, “5G and beyond” und 6G). Aufgrund zunehmender Pfad- und Eindringverluste bei zunehmender Trägerfrequenz ist die resultierende Abdeckung dabei jedoch stark reduziert. Die entstehenden Pfadverluste können durch die Verwendung hochdirektiver Funkschnittstellen kompensiert werden, wodurch die resultierende Auflösung im Winkelbereich erhöht wird und die Notwendigkeit einer räumlichen Kenntnis der Systeme mit sich bringt: Woher kommt das Signal? Darüber hinaus erhöhen größere Anwendungsbandbreiten die Auflösung im Zeitbereich, reduzieren das small-scale Fading und ermöglichen die Untersuchung innerhalb von Clustern von Mehrwegekomponenten. Daraus ergibt sich für Kommunikationssysteme ein vorhersagbareres Bild im Winkel-, Zeit- und Polarisationsbereich, welches Eigenschaften sind, die in Kanalmodellen für diese Frequenzen widergespiegelt werden müssen. Aus diesem Grund wurde in der vorliegenden Arbeit eine umfassende Charakterisierung der Wellenausbreitung durch simultane Multibandmessungen in den sub-6 GHz-, Millimeterwellen- und sub-THz-Bändern vorgestellt. Zu Beginn wurde die Eignung des simultanen Multiband-Messverfahrens zur Charakterisierung der Ausbreitung von Grenzwert-Leistungsprofilen und large-scale Parametern bewertet. Anschließend wurden wichtige Wellenausbreitungsaspekte für die Ein- und Multibandkanalmodellierung innerhalb mehrerer Säulen der 5G-Technologie identifiziert und Erweiterungen zu verbreiteten räumlichen Kanalmodellen eingeführt und bewertet, welche die oben genannten Systemaspekte abdecken.This thesis presents an empirical characterization of propagation for wireless communications at mm-waves and sub-THz, taking as a reference the already well known and studied sub-6 GHz band. The large blocks of free spectrum available at these high frequency bands makes them particularly suitable to provide the necessary instantaneous bandwidths to meet the requirements of future wireless technologies (5G, 5G and beyond, and 6G). However, isotropic path-loss and penetration-loss are larger with increasing carrier frequency, hence, coverage is severely reduced. Path-loss can be compensated with the utilization of highly directive radio-interfaces, which increases the resolution in the angular domain. Nonetheless, this emphasizes the need of spatial awareness of systems, making more relevant the question “where does the signal come from?” In addition, larger application bandwidths increase the resolution in the time domain, reducing small-scale fading and allowing to observe inside of clusters of multi-path components (MPCs). Consequently, communication systems have a more deterministic picture of the environment in the angular, time, and polarization domain, characteristics that need to be reflected in channel models for these frequencies. Therefore, in the present work we introduce an extensive characterization of propagation by intensive simultaneous multi-band measurements in the sub-6 GHz, mm-waves, and sub-THz bands. Firstly, the suitability of the simultaneous multi-band measurement procedure to characterize propagation from marginal power profiles and large-scale parameters (LSPs) has been evaluated. Then, key propagation aspects for single and multi-band channel modelling in several verticals of 5G have been identified, and extensions to popular spatial channel models (SCMs) covering the aforementioned system aspects have been introduced and evaluated