mmWave Signal Blockages on the Ohio Northern University Campus
Location
Ada, Ohio
Start Date
3-12-2024 12:00 AM
End Date
3-12-2024 12:00 AM
Description
Imagine a future where entire 4K movies transfer in less than a second, self-driving cars communicate with a city’s traffic in real-time, and phone calls are seamless anywhere in the world. The sixth generation of cellular technology, 6G, could make this future a reality. However, a critical challenge must be addressed in millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies, which are the essential frequencies to 6G’s high-speed capabilities. These frequencies have short propagation distances and are highly susceptible to blockages from everyday objects such as buildings, trees, and even people. This research focuses on the challenges of mmWave signal blockages on the Ohio Northern University campus. By utilizing field measurements and applying them to simulation models, the study evaluates the effects of obstacles, like buildings or walls, on mmWave signals. Alongside the outdoor campus, the James Lehr Kennedy Engineering building will also be analyzed to explore the distinct strategies needed to ensure a reliable 6G network in each setting. The probability of a device being line-of-sight to a base station, or stations, and connecting to the network was determined for each scenario. The findings revealed macrodiversity as a promising solution to the challenges associated with mmWave frequency implementation. This approach, which allows multiple base stations to connect to a device simultaneously within a given area, was found to significantly increase the line-of-sight probability while reducing the overall number of base stations required for coverage. Unlike the rushed deployment of 5G, which led to gaps in coverage and public misconceptions, the research of 6G challenges early. This research offers reassurance that 6G development is guided by lessons learned from previous generations, making way for a reliable, efficient, widely accepted network.
Recommended Citation
Wood, Grace, "mmWave Signal Blockages on the Ohio Northern University Campus" (2024). College of Engineering Student Research Colloquium. 2.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/eng_student_research_colloquium/2024/Presentations/2
mmWave Signal Blockages on the Ohio Northern University Campus
Ada, Ohio
Imagine a future where entire 4K movies transfer in less than a second, self-driving cars communicate with a city’s traffic in real-time, and phone calls are seamless anywhere in the world. The sixth generation of cellular technology, 6G, could make this future a reality. However, a critical challenge must be addressed in millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies, which are the essential frequencies to 6G’s high-speed capabilities. These frequencies have short propagation distances and are highly susceptible to blockages from everyday objects such as buildings, trees, and even people. This research focuses on the challenges of mmWave signal blockages on the Ohio Northern University campus. By utilizing field measurements and applying them to simulation models, the study evaluates the effects of obstacles, like buildings or walls, on mmWave signals. Alongside the outdoor campus, the James Lehr Kennedy Engineering building will also be analyzed to explore the distinct strategies needed to ensure a reliable 6G network in each setting. The probability of a device being line-of-sight to a base station, or stations, and connecting to the network was determined for each scenario. The findings revealed macrodiversity as a promising solution to the challenges associated with mmWave frequency implementation. This approach, which allows multiple base stations to connect to a device simultaneously within a given area, was found to significantly increase the line-of-sight probability while reducing the overall number of base stations required for coverage. Unlike the rushed deployment of 5G, which led to gaps in coverage and public misconceptions, the research of 6G challenges early. This research offers reassurance that 6G development is guided by lessons learned from previous generations, making way for a reliable, efficient, widely accepted network.