Experimental investigation of V2I radio channel in an arched tunnel

This paper describes the results of the experimental radio channel sounding campaign performed in an arched road tunnel in Le Havre, France. The co-polar and cross-polar channels measurements are carried out in the closed side lane, while the lane along the center of the tunnel is open to traffic. We investigate the channel characteristics in terms of: path loss, fading distribution, polarization power ratios and delay spread. All these parameters are essential for the deployment of vehicular communication systems inside tunnels. Our results indicate that, while the H-polar channel gain attenuates slower than the V-polar channel due to the geometry of the tunnel, the mean delay spread of the H-polar channel is larger than that of the V-polar channel

Multi-Polarized Channel Characterization

Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication is becoming an important aspect of warehouse management, remote control, robotics, traffic control, supply chain management, fleet management and telemedicine. M2M is expected to become a significant portion of the Industrial Internet and, more broadly, the Internet of Things (IoT). The environments in which M2M systems are expected to operate may be challenging in terms of radio wave propagation due to their cluttered, multipath nature, which can cause deep signal fades and signal depolarization. Polarization diversity in two dimensions is a well-known technique to mitigate such fades. But in the presence of reflectors and retarders where multipath components arrive from any direction, we find the detrimental effects to be three-dimensional and thus consider herein mitigation approaches that are also 3D. The objectives of this dissertation are three. First, to provide a theoretical framework for depolarization in three dimensions. Second, to prepare a tripolar antenna design that meets cost, power consumption, and simplicity requirements of M2M applications and that can mitigate the expected channel effects. Finally, to develop new channel models in three dimensional space for wireless systems. Accordingly, this dissertation presents a complete description of 3D electromagnetic fields, in terms of their polarization characteristics and confirms the advantage of employing tripolar antennas in multipath conditions. Furthermore, the experimental results illustrate that highly variable depolarization occurs across all three spatial dimensions and is dependent on small changes in frequency and space. Motivated by these empirical results, we worked with a collaborating institution to develop a three-dimensional tripolar antenna that can be integrated with a commercially available wireless sensor. This dissertation presents the testing results that show that this design significantly improves channels over traditional 2D approaches. The implications of tripolar antenna integration on M2M systems include reduction in energy use, longer wireless communication link distances, and/or greater link reliability. Similar results are shown for a planar antenna design that enables four different polarization configurations. Finally, the work presents a novel three-dimensional geometry-based stochastic channel model that builds the channel as a sum of shell-like sub-regions, where each sub-region consists of groups of multipath components. The model is validated with empirical data to show the approach may be used for system analyses in indoor environments

MIMO channel measurement campaign in subway tunnels

Abstract—The recent construction of the new L9 subway line in Barcelona, Spain has provided the opportunity to study the impact of different antenna configurations on the maximum channel capacity inside subway tunnels. In this work the authors present the design tradeoffs inside different kind of tunnels in terms of antenna spacing and applied diversity technique for a 2x2 MIMO system at C-Band. These design tradeoffs are the conclusion of the measurement campaign carried out during last year at L9 subway tunnels.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Eight-Element Compact UWB-MIMO/Diversity Antenna with WLAN Band Rejection for 3G/4G/5G Communications

An eight element, compact Ultra Wideband-Multiple Input Multiple Output (UWB-MIMO) antenna capable of providing high data rates for future Fifth Generation (5G) terminal equipments along with the provision of necessary bandwidth for Third Generation (3G) and Fourth Generation (4G) communications that accomplishes band rejection from 4.85 to 6.35 GHz by deploying a Inductor Capacitor (LC) stub on the ground plane is presented. The incorporated stub also provides flexibility to reject any selected band as well as bandwidth control. The orthogonal placement of the printed monopoles permits polarization diversity and provides high isolation. In the proposed eight element UWB-MIMO/diversity antenna, monopole pair 3-4 are 180o mirrored transform of monopole pair 1-2 which lie on the opposite corners of a planar 50 x 50 mm2 substrate. Four additional monopoles are then placed perpendicularly to the same board leading to a total size of 50 x 50 x 25 mm3 only. The simulated results are validated by comparing the measurements of a fabricated prototype. It was concluded that the design meets the target specifications over the entire bandwidth of 2 to 12 GHz with a reflection coefficient better than -10 dB (except the rejected band), isolation more than 17 dB, low envelope correlation, low gain variation, stable radiation pattern, and strong rejection of the signals in the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) band. Overall, compact and reduced complexity of the proposed eight element architecture, strengthens its practical viability for the diversity applications in future 5G terminal equipments amongst other MIMO antennas designs present in the literature.Comment: 25 page

Multiple element antenna placement and structure studies in subway environments

Public subway transport networks require reliable high data reate wireless communication systems. One way to increase the maximum theoretical capacity in a certain environment is to apply the known MIMO techniques in order to maximize the presence of orthogonal sub-channels in a certain radio-channel. In this work the authors present a method to assess the impact of the position inside the tunnel and the diversity configuration of the antennas of the considered MIMO system on the maximum theoretical capacity of the radio-channel inside subway tunnels.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Performance characterisation of MIMO-UWB systems for indoor environments

Although recent advances in wireless system technologies have provided ever increasing throughputs, end user demand continues to increase unabated. The research investigates the performance of a system harnessing two relatively new but powerful technologies, Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO) and Ultra Wideband (UWB) transmission as a possible solution to meet the growing demand for capacity. Each of these technologies in its own right has been subject to a large volume of research and has been proven to bring an increase in throughput. Nevertheless the predicted future demand will outstrip what each strategy can provide individually. MIMO-UWB systems are thus an emerging wireless solution with, in particular, the potential to satisfy short distance, high speed transmission requirements within indoor environments. Before any system is deployed it is important to characterise performance within representative operating environments. The study therefore emulates appropriate indoor environments, defines an experimental protocol to execute a range of measurements that provide robust evidence of the behaviour of the combined system within indoor scenarios. The application scenario dictates that the transmitter represents a gateway device attached to the ceiling and the receiver, a user device set on a table. The sequence of measurements relate to different positioning of the user device, with different angles and ranges to the gateway device, the layout of antenna placements being important. The output of the study is an accurate model for engineers and, the foundation for the design of MIMO-UWB systems for indoor services.Although recent advances in wireless system technologies have provided ever increasing throughputs, end user demand continues to increase unabated. The research investigates the performance of a system harnessing two relatively new but powerful technologies, Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO) and Ultra Wideband (UWB) transmission as a possible solution to meet the growing demand for capacity. Each of these technologies in its own right has been subject to a large volume of research and has been proven to bring an increase in throughput. Nevertheless the predicted future demand will outstrip what each strategy can provide individually. MIMO-UWB systems are thus an emerging wireless solution with, in particular, the potential to satisfy short distance, high speed transmission requirements within indoor environments. Before any system is deployed it is important to characterise performance within representative operating environments. The study therefore emulates appropriate indoor environments, defines an experimental protocol to execute a range of measurements that provide robust evidence of the behaviour of the combined system within indoor scenarios. The application scenario dictates that the transmitter represents a gateway device attached to the ceiling and the receiver, a user device set on a table. The sequence of measurements relate to different positioning of the user device, with different angles and ranges to the gateway device, the layout of antenna placements being important. The output of the study is an accurate model for engineers and, the foundation for the design of MIMO-UWB systems for indoor services