Statistical characteristics of microwave and millimeter wave indoor wireless channels

The demand for wireless high-speed data services makes the development of broadband wireless mobile communications systems important. This includes the development of accurate channel models to characterize fading for a variety of propagation environments from microwave to millimeter wave frequencies. Narrowband statistical propagation models for small-scale fading are obtained from experimental data using a low profile directional antenna called the dual exponentially tapered slot antenna (DETSA) on both transmit and receive (Greenberg, M.C. et al., 2003). We compare how the parameters used in Rician and Nakagami distributions are impacted by antenna separation and frequency of operation. Measurements were performed in a variety of rooms at 5 GHz and at 30 GHz. The 5 GHz DETSA antenna is six times larger than the 30 GHz one. The results can be used to develop channel models to compare performance improvements used with smart antenna systems. The DETSA has a directional pattern, has an excellent impedance match over a very broad frequency range, and does not require tuning elements (and thus bias power) to achieve wide bandwidth. Three different types of measurements were considered: near line-of-sight (LOS); far LOS; non-line-of-sight (NLOS).