Lightweight UAV-based Measurement System for Air-to-Ground Channels at 28 GHz

Vasilii Semkin, Seongjoon Kang, Jaakko Haarla, William Xia, Ismo Huhtinen, Giovanni Geraci, Angel Lozano, Giuseppe Loianno, Marco Mezzavilla, Sundeep Rangan

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientificpeer-review

    16 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Wireless communication at millimeter wave frequencies is an attractive option for high-bit-rate connectivity to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). However, conducting the channel measurements necessary to assess the communication performance at these frequencies has been challenging due to the severe payload and power restrictions in commercial UAVs. This work presents a novel lightweight (approximately 1.3kg) channel measurement system at 28GHz installed on a commercially available UAV. A ground transmitter equipped with a horn antenna conveys sounding signals to a UAV equipped with a lightweight spectrum analyzer. We demonstrate that the measurements can be highly influenced by the onboard antenna pattern as shaped by the UAV's frame. A calibration procedure is presented to correct for the resulting angular variations in antenna gain. The measurement setup is then validated on real flights from an airstrip at distances in excess of 300m.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication2021 IEEE 32nd Annual International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications, PIMRC 2021
    PublisherIEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
    Pages848-853
    ISBN (Electronic)978-1-7281-7586-7
    ISBN (Print)978-1-7281-7587-4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 13 Sept 2021
    MoE publication typeA4 Article in a conference publication
    Event32nd IEEE Annual International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications, PIMRC 2021: Online - Virtual, Helsinki, Finland
    Duration: 13 Sept 202116 Sept 2021

    Publication series

    SeriesIEEE International Symposium on Personal, Indoor, and Mobile Radio Communications Workshops
    Volume32
    ISSN2166-9570

    Conference

    Conference32nd IEEE Annual International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications, PIMRC 2021
    Country/TerritoryFinland
    CityHelsinki
    Period13/09/2116/09/21

    Keywords

    • Antenna measurements
    • Wireless communication
    • Power Measurements
    • Shape measurement
    • Transmitting antennas
    • Radio transmitters
    • Millimeter wave measurements

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