Propagation channel characterisation and modelling for high-speed train communication systems

High-mobility scenarios, e.g., High-Speed Train (HST) scenarios, are expected to be typical scenarios for the Fifth Generation (5G) communication systems. With the rapid development of HSTs, an increasing volume of wireless communication data is required to be transferred to train passengers. HST users demand high network capacity and reliable communication services regardless of their locations or speeds, which are beyond the capability of current HST communication systems. The features of HST channels are significantly different from those of low-mobility cellular communication systems. For a proper design and evaluation of future HST wireless communication systems, we need accurate channel models that can mimic the underlying channel characteristics, especially the non-stationarity for different HST scenarios. Inspired by the lack of such accurate HST channel models in the literature, this PhD project is devoted to the modelling and simulation of non-stationary Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) channels for HST communication systems. In this thesis, we first give a comprehensive review of the measurement campaigns conducted in different HST scenarios and address the recent advances in HST channel models. We also highlight the key challenges of HST channel measurements and models. Then, we study the characterisation of non-stationary channels and propose a theoretical framework for deriving the statistical properties of these channels. HST wireless communication systems encounter different channel conditions due to the difference of surrounding geographical environments or scenarios. HST channel models in the literature have either considered large-scale parameters only and/or neglected the non-stationarity of HST channels and/or only consider one of the HST scenarios. Therefore, we propose a novel generic non-stationary Geometry-Based Stochastic Model (GBSM) for wideband MIMO HST channels in different HST scenarios, i.e., open space, viaduct, and cutting. The corresponding simulation model is then developed with angular parameters calculated by the Modified Method of Equal Area (MMEA). The system functions and statistical properties of the proposed channel models are thoroughly studied. The proposed generic non-stationary HST channel models are verified by measurements in terms of stationary time for the open space scenario and the Autocorrelation Function (ACF), Level Crossing Rate (LCR), and stationary distance for the viaduct and cutting scenarios. Transmission techniques which are capable of utilising Three-Dimensional (3D) spatial dimensions are significant for the development of future communication systems. Consequently, 3D MIMO channel models are critical for the development and evaluation of these techniques. Therefore, we propose a novel 3D generic non-stationary GBSM for wideband MIMO HST channels in the most common HST scenarios. The corresponding simulation model is then developed with angular parameters calculated by the Method of Equal Volume (MEV). The proposed models considers several timevarying channel parameters, such as the angular parameters, the number of taps, the Ricean K-factor, and the actual distance between the Transmitter (Tx) and Receiver (Rx). Based on the proposed generic models, we investigate the impact of the elevation angle on some of the channel statistical properties. The proposed 3D generic models are verified using relevant measurement data. Most standard channel models in the literature, like Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), COST 2100, and IMT-2000 failed to introduce any of the HST scenarios. Even for the standard channel models which introduced a HST scenario, like IMT-Advanced (IMT-A) and WINNER II channel models, they offer stationary intervals that are noticeably longer than those in measured HST channels. This has inspired us to propose a non-stationary IMT-A channel model with time-varying parameters including the number of clusters, powers, delays of the clusters, and angular parameters. Based on the proposed non-stationary IMT-A channel model, important statistical properties, i.e., the time-variant spatial Cross-correlation Function (CCF) and time-variant ACF, are derived and analysed. Simulation results demonstrate that the stationary interval of the developed non-stationary IMT-A channel model can match that of relevant HST measurement data. In summary, the proposed theoretical and simulation models are indispensable for the design, testing, and performance evaluation of 5G high-mobility wireless communication systems in general and HST ones in specific

Channel Measurements and Models for High-Speed Train Communication Systems: A Survey

The recent development of high-speed trains (HSTs) as an emerging high mobility transportation system, and the growing demands of broadband services for HST users, introduce new challenges to wireless communication systems for HSTs. Accurate and efficient channel models considering both large-scale and non-stationary small-scale fading characteristics are crucial for the design, performance evaluation, and parameter optimization of HST wireless communication systems. However, the characteristics of the underlying HST channels have not yet been sufficiently investigated. This paper first provides a comprehensive review of the measurement campaigns conducted in different HST scenarios and then addresses the recent advances in HST channel models. Finally, key challenges of HST channel measurements and models are discussed and several research directions in this area are outlined

D5.2: Digital-Twin Enabled multi-physics simulation and model matching

This deliverable presents a report on the developed actions and results concerning Digital-Twin-enabled multi-physics simulations and model matching. Enabling meaningful simulations within new human-infrastructure interfaces such as Digital twins is paramount. Accessing the power of simulation opens manifold new ways for observation, understanding, analysis and prediction of numerous scenarios to which the asset may be faced. As a result, managers can access countless ways of acquiring synthetic data for eventually taking better, more informed decisions. The tool MatchFEM is conceived as a fundamental part of this endeavour. From a broad perspective, the tool is aimed at contextualizing information between multi-physics simulations and vaster information constructs such as digital twins. 3D geometries, measurements, simulations, and asset management coexist in such information constructs. This report provides guidance for the generation of comprehensive adequate initial conditions of the assets to be used during their life span using a DT basis. From a more specific focus, this deliverable presents a set of exemplary recommendations for the development of DT-enabled load tests of assets in the form of a white paper. The deliverable also belongs to a vaster suit of documents encountered in WP5 of the Ashvin project in which measurements, models and assessments are described thoroughly.Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::9 - Indústria, Innovació i InfraestructuraPreprin

Extending TDL based non-WSSUS vehicle-to-everything channel model

In den vergangenen Jahrzehnten haben drahtlose Kommunikationssysteme eine rasante Entwicklung durchgemacht und es wurden viele Untersuchungen durchgeführt, seit Maxwell die Existenz von elektromagnetischer Wellen vorausgesagt hat. In den letzten Jahren hat die Forschung im Bereich der vehicle to X (V2X)-Kommunikation stetig zugenommen. V2X beschreibt die Fähigkeit, Daten zwischen einem Fahrzeug oder vehicle (V) und “allem” zu übertragen. In Zukunft könnten Fahrzeuge mit ihrer Umgebung kommunizieren, um Verkehrsunfälle zu vermeiden und Staus zu verringern. Dazu werden sie ihr Geschwindigkeits- und Positionsdaten über Ad-hoc-Fahrzeugnetze senden und empfangen können. Um die Verkehrssicherheit zu erhöhen, ist eine zuverlässige Kommunikationsverbindung notwendig. Die größte Herausforderung bei der Fahrzeugkommunikation besteht darin, dass sich die Eigenschaften des Physical Layers aufgrund der inhärenten Mobilität innerhalb des Kanals, der hohen Fahrzeuggeschwindigkeiten, der unterschiedlichen Antennenpositionen und der vielen Handover aufgrund kleinerer Zellen schnell ändern. Dies bringt eine Reihe von Herausforderungen in Bezug auf die Kanalcharakterisierung mit sich. Es handelt sich um einen Kanal mit starker Zeitvarianz und es treten viele Übergänge auf. Somit handelt es sich um einen nicht-stationärer (non-stationary) Kanal. Das Hauptziel dieser Untersuchung ist es, eine Methode zu finden, mit der der Kanal einer komplexen Umgebung in einer einfachen Form mit weniger strengen Beziehungen zur Geometrie dargestellt werden kann. Dabei werden die statistischen Eigenschaften ähnlich der Messdaten beibehalten. In dieser Arbeit werden nichtstationäre tapped delay line (TDL)-Modelle verwendet, um vehicle to infrastructure (V2I)-Kanäle zu beschreiben. Es wird eine neue Strategie zur Extraktion von TDL-Kanalmodellparametern aus Messdaten vorgeschlagen. Dieser Ansatz basiert auf einer bestehenden Methode zur Ableitung von Parametern für ein TDLModell. Es wird gezeigt, dass mit einer anderen Methode zur Auswahl der Taps die Anzahl der Abgriffe, die zur Rekonstruktion der root mean square delay spread (RMS-DS) eines Kanals erforderlich sind, erheblich reduziert werden kann. Ein neuer Ansatz zur überprüfen der Korrektheit der Ableitung der Kanalmodellparameter wird aufgezeigt. Die Durchführbarkeit der Methode wird anhand von Channel Sounding Messungen bestätigt. In dieser Dissertation wird ein Generator zur Erzeugung von Kanalimpulsantworten entwickelt und das nichtstationäre Verhalten der Kanäle durch die Verwendung eines ON/OFF-Prozesses beschrieben. Es werden Markov-Ketten unterschiedlicher Ordnung modelliert, um das nicht-stationäre Verhalten besser zu erfassen. Die Untersuchung zeigt, dass Markov-Ketten erster Ordnung mit zwei Zuständen vorzuziehen sind, um das häufige ON/OFF-Verhalten von Mehrwegpfaden darzustellen, und dass die Markov-Modelle zweiter und dritter Ordnung keine großen Auswirkungen haben. Eine Methode zur Erweiterung eines single input single output (SISO)-TDL-Modells auf multiple input multiple output (MIMO) unter der non-wide sense stationary uncorrelated scattering (non-WSSUS)-Annahme wird eingeführt, um TDL-Kanalmodelle für V2I MIMO-Systeme zu entwickeln. Die Analyse bewertet die SISO- mit der MIMO-Konfiguration in Bezug auf die Kanalkapazität. Es werden verschiedene MIMO-Konfigurationen untersucht, und es wird gezeigt, dass die Position der Antennen eine wichtige Rolle spielt. Die Verwendung von nur vier Antennen am transmitter (Tx) und receiver (Rx), die in unterschiedliche Richtungen abstrahlen, führt zu einem qualitativen Sprung in der Leistungsfähigkeit des Systems.In the past decades, wireless communication systems have undergone rapid development, and many investigations have been done since Maxwell predicted the existence of electromagnetic waves. In recent years, vehicle to X (V2X) communication research has been growing steadily. V2X describes the ability to transmit data between a vehicle (V) and “everything”. In the future, vehicles might be able to communicate with their environment to prevent traffic accidents and reduce congestion by allowing vehicles to transmit and receive data through a vehicular ad hoc network at their speed and position. In order to achieve the ultimate goal of enhancing transportation safety, it is crucial to establish reliable communication links. The main challenge of vehicular communications introduces new properties because the physical layer properties are rapidly changing due to inherent mobility within the channel, high vehicle speeds, varying antenna positions, and many handovers due to smaller cells. This brings up a number of challenges in terms of channel characterization because it is a strong time-variant channel and many transitions occur; therefore, it is a non-stationary channel. In this thesis, non-stationary tapped delay line (TDL) models are used to describe the vehicle to infrastructure (V2I) channels. This thesis proposes a new strategy to extract TDL channel model parameters from measurement data. The proposed approach is based on an existing method to derive parameters for a TDL model. It will be shown that with a different method of choosing taps, the number of taps necessary to regenerate the root mean square delay spread (RMS-DS) of a channel can be significantly reduced. An approach is proposed to verify the correctness of the channel model parameters derivation. The feasibility of the method will be confirmed using channel-sounding measurements. This dissertation devises a generator to produce channel impulse responses (CIRs) and describes the non-stationary behavior of the channels via employing an ON/OFF process. Different order Markov chains are modeled with the aim of better capturing the non-stationary behavior. The investigation shows that first-order two-state Markov chains are preferable to represent multipath’s frequent ON/OFF behavior, and the second- and third-order Markov models do not make enormous effects. A method for extending a single input single output (SISO)-TDL model to multiple input multiple output (MIMO) under non-wide sense stationary uncorrelated scattering (non-WSSUS) assumption is introduced to develop TDL channel models for the V2I MIMO systems. The analysis evaluates SISO- with MIMO configuration in terms of channel capacity. Different MIMO configurations are explored, and it will be illustrated that the position of antennas plays an important role. Using only four antennas at the transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) that radiate towards different directions will make a qualitative leap in the performance of the system

Infrastructure Design, Signalling and Security in Railway

Railway transportation has become one of the main technological advances of our society. Since the first railway used to carry coal from a mine in Shropshire (England, 1600), a lot of efforts have been made to improve this transportation concept. One of its milestones was the invention and development of the steam locomotive, but commercial rail travels became practical two hundred years later. From these first attempts, railway infrastructures, signalling and security have evolved and become more complex than those performed in its earlier stages. This book will provide readers a comprehensive technical guide, covering these topics and presenting a brief overview of selected railway systems in the world. The objective of the book is to serve as a valuable reference for students, educators, scientists, faculty members, researchers, and engineers

Cooperative Radio Communications for Green Smart Environments

The demand for mobile connectivity is continuously increasing, and by 2020 Mobile and Wireless Communications will serve not only very dense populations of mobile phones and nomadic computers, but also the expected multiplicity of devices and sensors located in machines, vehicles, health systems and city infrastructures. Future Mobile Networks are then faced with many new scenarios and use cases, which will load the networks with different data traffic patterns, in new or shared spectrum bands, creating new specific requirements. This book addresses both the techniques to model, analyse and optimise the radio links and transmission systems in such scenarios, together with the most advanced radio access, resource management and mobile networking technologies. This text summarises the work performed by more than 500 researchers from more than 120 institutions in Europe, America and Asia, from both academia and industries, within the framework of the COST IC1004 Action on "Cooperative Radio Communications for Green and Smart Environments". The book will have appeal to graduates and researchers in the Radio Communications area, and also to engineers working in the Wireless industry. Topics discussed in this book include: • Radio waves propagation phenomena in diverse urban, indoor, vehicular and body environments• Measurements, characterization, and modelling of radio channels beyond 4G networks• Key issues in Vehicle (V2X) communication• Wireless Body Area Networks, including specific Radio Channel Models for WBANs• Energy efficiency and resource management enhancements in Radio Access Networks• Definitions and models for the virtualised and cloud RAN architectures• Advances on feasible indoor localization and tracking techniques• Recent findings and innovations in antenna systems for communications• Physical Layer Network Coding for next generation wireless systems• Methods and techniques for MIMO Over the Air (OTA) testin

Cooperative Radio Communications for Green Smart Environments

The demand for mobile connectivity is continuously increasing, and by 2020 Mobile and Wireless Communications will serve not only very dense populations of mobile phones and nomadic computers, but also the expected multiplicity of devices and sensors located in machines, vehicles, health systems and city infrastructures. Future Mobile Networks are then faced with many new scenarios and use cases, which will load the networks with different data traffic patterns, in new or shared spectrum bands, creating new specific requirements. This book addresses both the techniques to model, analyse and optimise the radio links and transmission systems in such scenarios, together with the most advanced radio access, resource management and mobile networking technologies. This text summarises the work performed by more than 500 researchers from more than 120 institutions in Europe, America and Asia, from both academia and industries, within the framework of the COST IC1004 Action on "Cooperative Radio Communications for Green and Smart Environments". The book will have appeal to graduates and researchers in the Radio Communications area, and also to engineers working in the Wireless industry. Topics discussed in this book include: • Radio waves propagation phenomena in diverse urban, indoor, vehicular and body environments• Measurements, characterization, and modelling of radio channels beyond 4G networks• Key issues in Vehicle (V2X) communication• Wireless Body Area Networks, including specific Radio Channel Models for WBANs• Energy efficiency and resource management enhancements in Radio Access Networks• Definitions and models for the virtualised and cloud RAN architectures• Advances on feasible indoor localization and tracking techniques• Recent findings and innovations in antenna systems for communications• Physical Layer Network Coding for next generation wireless systems• Methods and techniques for MIMO Over the Air (OTA) testin

Hybrid structural health monitoring using data-driven modal analysis and model-based Bayesian inference.

Civil infrastructures that are valuable assets for the public and owners must be adequately and periodically maintained to guarantee safety, continuous service, and avoid economic losses. Vibration-based structural health monitoring (VBSHM) has been a significant tool to assess the structural performance of civil infrastructures over the last decades. Challenges in VBSHM exist in two aspects: operational modal analysis (OMA) and Finite element model updating (FEMU). The former aims to extract natural frequency, damping ratio, and mode shapes using vibrational data under normal operation; the latter focuses on minimizing the discrepancies between measurements and model prediction. The main impediments to real-world application of VBSHM include 1) uncertainties are inevitably involved due to measurement noise and modeling error; 2) computational burden in analyzing massive data and high-fidelity model; 3) updating structural coupled parameters, e.g., mass and stiffness. Bayesian model updating approach (BMUA) is an advanced FEMU technique to update structural parameters using modal data and account for underlying uncertainties. However, traditional BMUA generally assumes mass is precisely known and only updating stiffness to circumvent the coupling effect of mass and stiffness. Simultaneously updating mass and stiffness is necessary to fully understand the structural integrity, especially when the mass has a relatively large variation. To tackle these challenges, this dissertation proposed a hybrid framework using data-driven and model-based approaches in two sequential phases: automated OMA and a BMUA with added mass/stiffness. Automated stochastic subspace identification (SSI) and Bayesian modal identification are firstly developed to acquire modal properties. Following by a novel BMUA, new eigen-equations based on two sets of modal data from the original and modified system with added mass or stiffness are derived to address the coupling effect of structural parameters, e.g., mass and stiffness. To avoid multi-dimensional integrals, an asymptotic optimization method and Differential Evolutionary Adaptive Metropolis (DREAM) sampling algorithm are employed for Bayesian inference. To alleviate computational burden, variance-based global sensitivity analysis to reduce model dimensionality and Kriging model to substitute time-consuming FEM are integrated into BMUA. The proposed VBSHM are verified and illustrated using numerical, laboratory and field test data, achieving following goals: 1) properly treating parameter uncertainties; 2) substantially reducing the computational cost; 3) simultaneously updating structural parameters with addressing the coupling effect; 4) performing the probabilistic damage identification at an accurate level