Sunday 02 February 2025
The quest for a faster and more reliable mobile network has led scientists to explore new frequencies, such as the upper mid-band (6-24 GHz). This band offers a better balance between coverage and spectrum efficiency than traditional frequencies. However, measuring channels in this range is challenging due to its complex nature and the need to capture the spherical shape of each path.
Researchers have developed a novel method to measure near-field parameters using a reflection model that describes the propagation of signals in this frequency range. The model reduces the estimation problem to a localization problem of image points, which can be measured with a small number of non-coherent measurements.
The team used a synthetic aperture procedure to simulate a wide antenna array by moving the receive antennas along two linear tracks. This allowed them to measure the channel response at different locations and estimate the parameters using orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) and triangulation.
The experimental setup consisted of a Xilinx RFSoC 4×2, a Pi-Radio FR3 transceiver, Vivaldi antennas, and two linear tracks for moving the receive antennas. The experiment used three offsets and antenna spacings to record multiple measurement sets, which were then processed to extract the LOS and reflection image transmitters.
The results show that the proposed method can accurately estimate near-field parameters in multi-path environments. This achievement paves the way for the development of more efficient and reliable wireless communication systems that can support high-speed data transmission and low-latency applications.
In a simulation, the team demonstrated the effectiveness of their approach by identifying the dominant propagation paths and estimating the locations of image points. The results were validated using a preliminary experimental procedure, which showed promising results.
The upper mid-band offers many opportunities for innovation in wireless communication systems. By developing new measurement techniques and channel models, researchers can unlock the potential of this frequency range and create faster, more reliable networks that enable new applications and services.
In the future, scientists plan to conduct more extensive simulations and experimental validation to refine their approach and explore its limitations. The development of a robust and accurate method for estimating near-field parameters will be crucial for the widespread adoption of wireless communication systems in this frequency range.
Cite this article: “Measuring Near-Field Parameters in Upper Mid-Band Frequencies for Improved Wireless Communication”, The Science Archive, 2025.
Wireless Communication, Upper Mid-Band, Near-Field Parameters, Reflection Model, Synthetic Aperture, Orthogonal Matching Pursuit, Triangulation, Rfsoc, Pi-Radio Fr3, Vivaldi Antennas
