Rough surface scattering analysis at 60 GHz in an underground mine gallery

60 GHz wireless communication systems are promising wireless gigabit transmission supports for short-range multimedia communications, particularly in niche applications such as in underground mines. In order to investigate the behavior of an underground mine channel with a 5 mm wavelength and with centimetre range surface roughness of the mine walls, signal scattering characteristics have been investigated. In this paper, the statistical distribution of surface parameters such as heights and correlation coefficients are extracted from the measurements, in order to quantify the roughness of mine walls. Kirchhoff approximation (KA) scattering has been used to characterize one single Radar Cross Section scattering behavior. The angular dependent received power has been examined from both simulations and measurements. As such, this paper develops a KA model, for 60 GHz underground mine communications, which is validated by experimental results.