Multi-Array Designs for mmWave and Sub-THz Communication to UAVs

William Xia, Vasilii Semkin, Marco Mezzavilla, Giuseppe Loianno, Sundeep Rangan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are steadily being considered for scenarios demanding high bandwidth, low latency communications for video and sensor data transfer as well as real-Time control. UAVs may also be used as mobile aerial Base Station (BS) for maintaining the communication in emergency scenarios. The millimeter wave (mmWave) bands, including the sub-THz frequencies above 100 GHz, are an attractive technology for high data rate UAV connectivity due to the wide bandwidths available at these frequencies. This paper studies antenna and codebook design for UAV communication at both 28 and 140 GHz with realistic antenna simulations and flight patterns. The analysis shows that multi-Array configurations with proper codebook design are necessary for uniform spherical coverage and become particularly important in long range applications. The paper thus proposes a four array design with patch antennas. Simulations indicate that the design can achieve in excess of 1 Gbps data rates at a range of 1 km, with reasonable power levels and moderate rain fades. A simulation with a real public safety mission flight shows that beam tracking can be maintained even under high drone movements and rotations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2020 IEEE 21st International Workshop on Signal Processing Advances in Wireless Communications, SPAWC 2020
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781728154787
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2020
Event21st IEEE International Workshop on Signal Processing Advances in Wireless Communications, SPAWC 2020 - Atlanta, United States
Duration: May 26 2020May 29 2020

Publication series

NameIEEE Workshop on Signal Processing Advances in Wireless Communications, SPAWC
Volume2020-May

Conference

Conference21st IEEE International Workshop on Signal Processing Advances in Wireless Communications, SPAWC 2020
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAtlanta
Period5/26/205/29/20

Keywords

  • UAV
  • antenna placement
  • beamforming
  • code-book design
  • mmWave
  • sub-THz

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Information Systems

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