Spatial Fading Channel Emulation for Over-the-air Testing of mmWave Radios: Concepts and Experimental Validations

Abstract Millimeter-wave (mmWave) communication is regarded as the key enabling component for fifth-generation (5G) cellular systems due to the large available spectrum bandwidth. To make mmWave new radio (NR) a reality, tremendous efforts have been exerted from the industry and academia. Performance evaluation of mmWave NR is a mandatory step and the key to ensuring the success of mmWave 5G deployment. Over-the-air (OTA) radiated method of testing mmWave NR in laboratory conditions is highly attractive, since it facilitates virtual field testing of mmWave devices in realistic propagation conditions. In this paper, we first discuss the need for and challenges in OTA measurement of mmWave 5G NR under fading channel conditions. After that, two promising candidate solutions, i.e., wireless cable and multi-probe anechoic chamber (MPAC), are detailed. Their principles, applicability for mmWave NR, and main challenges are discussed. Furthermore, preliminary experimental validation results in a frequency range 2 anechoic chamber are demonstrated for the wireless cable and MPAC methods at 28 GHz

1-D broadside-radiating leaky-wave antenna based on a numerically synthesized impedance surface

A newly-developed deterministic numerical technique for the automated design of metasurface antennas is applied here for the first time to the design of a 1-D printed Leaky-Wave Antenna (LWA) for broadside radiation. The surface impedance synthesis process does not require any a priori knowledge on the impedance pattern, and starts from a mask constraint on the desired far-field and practical bounds on the unit cell impedance values. The designed reactance surface for broadside radiation exhibits a non conventional patterning; this highlights the merit of using an automated design process for a design well known to be challenging for analytical methods. The antenna is physically implemented with an array of metal strips with varying gap widths and simulation results show very good agreement with the predicted performance

Beam scanning by liquid-crystal biasing in a modified SIW structure

A fixed-frequency beam-scanning 1D antenna based on Liquid Crystals (LCs) is designed for application in 2D scanning with lateral alignment. The 2D array environment imposes full decoupling of adjacent 1D antennas, which often conflicts with the LC requirement of DC biasing: the proposed design accommodates both. The LC medium is placed inside a Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) modified to work as a Groove Gap Waveguide, with radiating slots etched on the upper broad wall, that radiates as a Leaky-Wave Antenna (LWA). This allows effective application of the DC bias voltage needed for tuning the LCs. At the same time, the RF field remains laterally confined, enabling the possibility to lay several antennas in parallel and achieve 2D beam scanning. The design is validated by simulation employing the actual properties of a commercial LC medium