Characterization of 5G mmWave frequency (24, 28, and 39 GHz) performance

Abstract

Millimeter wave frequency radio has garnered attention due to its potential to significantly increase bandwidth for communication systems and provide exceptional performance in terms of throughput. As such, new mmWave technology is anticipated to fulfill niche use cases such as localized hotspots and Fixed Wireless Access. However, it is a well-known fact in wireless communication that higher frequencies are more susceptible to increased attenuation, path losses, and lower spectral efficiency. The performance of millimeter wave can be adversely affected by a variety of factors including buildings or obstacles that block the signal, environmental factors such as vegetation, humidity and temperature, variations in atmospheric conditions, and weather conditions such as rain or fog.

This study investigates the impact of vegetation losses on the deployment of millimeter wave frequency radios. Using a combination of field measurements, the research found that there is a noticeable decrease in throughput when measurements are taken in the presence of foliage compared to their absence. This decrease corresponds to a slight increase in path loss, which reflects vegetative attenuation. Additionally, as the User Equipment (UE) transitions from an outdoor to an indoor environment, a decrease in throughput can be observed. The findings of this thesis work have important implications for operators when planning and deploying millimeter wave radios.