A Non-Stationary Geometry-Based MIMO Channel Model for Millimeter-Wave UAV Networks

• Published in: IEEE journal on selected areas in communications Vol. 39; no. 10; pp. 2960 - 2974
• Main Authors: Ma, Zhangfeng, Ai, Bo, He, Ruisi, Zhong, Zhangdui, Yang, Mi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.10.2021; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Carrier frequencies; Channel models; Clusters; Delays; Markov chains; millimeter wave (mmWave); Millimeter wave communication; Millimeter waves; MIMO communication; multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO); non-stationarity; Power capacitors; Systems design; Three dimensional models; Three-dimensional displays; Transceivers; two-state Markov model; Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) channel modeling; Unmanned aerial vehicles
• ISSN: 0733-8716; 1558-0008
• DOI: 10.1109/JSAC.2021.3088659

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communications are expected to play a major role in future space-air-ground integrated networks (SAGINs). In this paper, a geometric three-dimensional (3D) non-stationary channel model operating at millimeter-wave (mmWave) band is proposed for wideband UAV multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications based on a multiple-layer cylinder reference model, where both stationary and moving clusters around transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) are considered. Unlike the existing UAV-based GBSMs, the proposed model considers both local and far clusters in the propagation environments. On this basis, a continuous-time Markov model with two states is used to model the dynamic properties of clusters (i.e., clusters appear/disappear with time), and the closed-form expressions of the survival probabilities of clusters are derived. Furthermore, we derive and investigate some significant statistical properties, including space-time-frequency correlation function, quasi-stationary interval, and Doppler power spectrum. Numerical results show that the local mobile cluster (LMC) component leads to higher time correlation compared with the local stationary cluster (LSC) component. In addition, it is found that the LMC component leads to larger quasi-stationary interval compared with the LSC component. Finally, it is found that the motion of transceivers and clusters, and the changes of carrier frequency introduce significant fluctuations in Doppler power spectrum. These observations and conclusions can be considered as a guidance for mmWave UAV MIMO system design.