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 contribution

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 (US)
Title of host publication2021 IEEE 32nd Annual International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications, PIMRC 2021
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages848-853
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781728175867
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 13 2021
Event32nd IEEE Annual International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications, PIMRC 2021 - Virtual, Helsinki, Finland
Duration: Sep 13 2021Sep 16 2021

Publication series

NameIEEE International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications, PIMRC
Volume2021-September

Conference

Conference32nd IEEE Annual International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications, PIMRC 2021
Country/TerritoryFinland
CityVirtual, Helsinki
Period9/13/219/16/21

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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