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

Measurements and analysis of large-scale fading characteristics in curved subway tunnels at 920 MHz, 2400 MHz, and 5705 MHz

ave propagation characteristics in curved tunnels are of importance for designing reliable communications in subway systems. This paper presents the extensive propagation measurements conducted in two typical types of subway tunnels—traditional arched “Type I” tunnel and modern arched “Type II” tunnel—with300- and 500-m radii of curvature with different configurations—horizontal and vertical polarizations at 920, 2400, and 5705 MHz, respectively. Based on the measurements, statistical metrics of propagation loss and shadow fading (path-loss exponent, shadow fading distribution, autocorrelation, and cross-correlation) in all the measurement cases are extracted. Then, the large-scale fading characteristics in the curved subway tunnels are compared with the cases of road and railway tunnels, the other main rail traffic scenarios, and some “typical” scenarios to give a comprehensive insight into the propagation in various scenarios where the intelligent transportation systems are deployed. Moreover, for each of the large-scale fading parameters, extensive analysis and discussions are made to reflect the physical laws behind the observations. The quantitative results and findings are useful to realize intelligent transportation systems in the subway system

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

Low-complexity Location-aware Multi-user Massive MIMO Beamforming for High Speed Train Communications

Massive Multiple-input Multiple-output (MIMO) adaption is one of the primary evolving objectives for the next generation high speed train (HST) communication system. In this paper, we consider how to design an efficient low-complexity location-aware beamforming for the multi-user (MU) massive MIMO system in HST scenario. We first put forward a low-complexity beamforming based on location information, where multiple users are considered. Then, without considering inter-beam interference, a closed-form solution to maximize the total service competence of base station (BS) is proposed in this MU HST scenario. Finally, we present a location-aid searching-based suboptimal solution to eliminate the inter-beam interference and maximize the BS service competence. Various simulations are given to exhibit the advantages of our proposed massive MIMO beamforming method.Comment: This paper has been accepted for future publication by VTC2017-Sprin

Broadband radio communications in subway stations and tunnels

Broadband radio communication systems are very important for railway traffic control systems and passengers network services. Nowadays, even though 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) has deployed for commercial use with excellent results in open areas, it is still lack of knowledge regarding to how such broadband signals propagate inside complex environments with many complex structures that affect propagation such as subway tunnels and stations. For this reason, the aim of the presented measurements in this paper is to model the response of the broadband channel at 1000 MHz and 2450 MHz in the subway environments. These measurements focus on three types of scenarios: subway stations, straight tunnels and a train effect the signal. The results provide detailed information about the propagation channel, which can be useful to develop a broadband propagation model for underground communication systems

Measurement-Based Delay and Doppler Characterizations for High-Speed Railway Hilly Scenario

This paper presents results for delay and Doppler spread characterization in high-speed railway (HSR) hilly scenario. To investigate the propagation characteristics in this specific terrain, a measurement campaign is conducted along the “Guangzhou-Shenzhen” HSR in China. A wideband channel sounder with 40 MHz bandwidth is used to collect raw data at 2.4 GHz band. The delay spread and Doppler frequency features are analyzed based on measured data. It is found that there are abundant multipath components (MPCs) in this scenario. We present the relationship between the delay spreads and the transceiver distances. The measured route can be divided into four areas with different delay and Doppler characteristics. Finally, a tapped delay line (TDL) model is proposed to parameterize the channel responses in the HSR hilly environment, which is supposed to provide criterions for evaluations of the radio interface and development of wireless communication system