A millimeter-wave scaled measurement system for wireless channel characterization

In this paper, a scaled measurement system designed for wireless channel characterization is proposed and discussed, and experimental results are reported. The system consists of a vector network analyzer, miniaturized W-band transmitter and receiver probes, scaled buildings, and a precise computer-controlled positioner. The scaled propagation measurement system is designed to operate coherently at the 90.8-92.8-GHz band, and it provides a dynamic range of 85 dB. As the measurement wavelength in this system (≅3 mm) is approximately two orders of magnitude smaller than the actual wavelength in most commercial and military wireless systems, a typical dimension of the propagation environment can be smaller than the actual environment proportionally. Hence, propagation measurements can be done very efficiently under laboratory conditions using a scaled model of a city block. This system is intended for verifying the results of wave-propagation prediction software. It can also be used to investigate scattering models for different types of buildings and complex objects, data collection for wireless communication, and many other studies such as diversity methods (frequency and polarization).