Modeling the ultra-wideband outdoor channel: Measurements and parameter extraction method

• Published in: IEEE transactions on wireless communications Vol. 9; no. 1; pp. 282 - 290
• Main Authors: Santos, T., Karedal, J., Almers, P., Tufvesson, F., Molisch, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01-01-2010; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Algorithms; Antennas; Applied sciences; Arrays; Channel parameter estimation; Channels; Clusters; Detection, estimation, filtering, equalization, prediction; Diffraction; Diffraction, scattering, reflection; Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering; Elektroteknik och elektronik; Engineering and Technology; Exact sciences and technology; Impulse response; Information, signal and communications theory; Mathematical models; measurement campaign; Outdoor; Parameter extraction; Pattern matching; Radar scattering; Radar tracking; Radiocommunications; Radiowave propagation; Receivers; Road safety; Shadow mapping; Signal and communications theory; Signal, noise; Studies; Systems, networks and services of telecommunications; Teknik; Telecommunications; Telecommunications and information theory; Transfer functions; Transmission and modulation (techniques and equipments); Transmitters; Ultra wideband technology; ultra-wideband; Channel parameter estimation; Spherical wave; Line of sight propagation; Parameter estimation; High resolution; Outdoor installation; Data transmission; Modeling; measurement campaign; Accuracy; Pulse response; Angular variation; ultra-wideband; Radiation pattern; Linear antenna arrays; Transfer function; Localization; Electromagnetic wave scattering; Target tracking; Theoretical study; Algorithm; Ultra wide band; outdoor; Transmitting antenna; Shadowing
• ISSN: 1536-1276; 1558-2248
• DOI: 10.1109/TWC.2010.01.090391

This paper presents results from an outdoor measurement campaign for ultra-wideband channels at gas stations. The results are particularly relevant for "infostations" where large amounts of data are downloaded to a user within a short period of time. We describe the measurement setup and present a novel high-resolution algorithm that allows the identification of the scatterers that give rise to multipath components. As input, the algorithm uses measurements of the transfer function between a single-antenna transmitter and a long uniform linear virtual array as receiver. The size of the array ensures that the incoming waves are spherical, which improves the estimation accuracy of scatterer locations. Insight is given on how these components can be tracked in the impulse response of a spatially varying terminal. We then group the detected scatterers into clusters, and investigate the angular power variations of waves arriving at the receiver from the clusters. This defines the cluster's "radiation pattern." Using sample measurements we show how obstacles obstruct the line-of-sight component -- a phenomenon commonly referred to as "shadowing." We compare the measurement data in the shadowing regions (locations of the receiver experiencing shadowing) with the theoretical results predicted by diffraction theory and find a good match between the two.