Wideband channel measurements at 60 GHz in different environments

Abstract

For future mobile multimedia communication, a Mobile Broadband System is in development, which operates at a frequency of 60 GHz. In order to get a better understanding of 60 GHz propagation effects in different environments with different conditions, several measurements were performed, using a spectrum analyzer and synthesized signal generator for the frequency-domain characterization of the radio channel. In the experiments, a carrier wave (CW) was swept with constant amplitude across the 100 MHz band, centered on 59.9 GHz. The channel frequency response was measured at the receiver side. The results can be used for the design of an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex) system. The measurement environments were a corridor and a big college room in a high-rise office building (indoor) and a parking and a grassfield at the side of that building (outdoor). The spectrum samples were taken in each of the environments. From such samples, parameters that describe the wireless channel can be calculated like the Rice parameter k, the path loss coefficients, coherence bandwidth and the delay spread. It was necessary to develop an appropriate measurement analysis, stemming from the fact that the spectrum analyzer gives no information on the phase, only amplitude. Measurement analysis method and results are explained. When more and more dense measurements are performed a more detailed and accurate description of the wireless channel for the different environments is possible.