WAVECOMBE · mmWave Communications in the Built Environments

mmWave Communications in the Built Environments

The foreseen exponential growth of mobile data traffic will not be uniform across geographical areas, but is mainly concentrated in hot spots that are usually located in the built environments (BEs) such as central business districts, stations, airports, stadiums, dense urban environments, etc. This poses considerable challenges that we believe can be solved by ultra dense deployment of millimetre-wave (mmW) small-cells (SCs) in conjunction with massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) in 5G and beyond 5G (B5G) wireless networks. However, there are a number of research challenges that need to be addressed for a successful deployment of 5G/B5G wireless networks. Therefore, we propose here a research approach that combines the three disruptive key enabling technologies for 5G/B5G with the aim to answer fundamental questions that are still not well understood. Objectives: - Develop and test mmW MIMO and massive MIMO antennas. - Characterize and model radio propagation channel at mmW bands for typical BEs. - Characterize and model the effect of the human body on MIMO radio propagation at mmW bands. - Theoretically analyze and optimize massive MIMO mmW SC performance in the BEs. - Jointly optimize the planning/deployment of massive MIMO mmW SC networks and their operating environments. - Develop methods to retrofit existing buildings and to design new buildings for efficient high-capacity wireless communications in the BEs. Expected Impact: WAVECOMBE provides 396 PM of high-quality interdisciplinary research for a new generation of scientists, who will benefit from the entrepreneurial environment created by the network, and deliver impact at a European level. It will produce a critical mass of highly-skilled professionals, who are advantaged by their international and inter-sector mobility. It will: - Develop EU capacity to advance mmW antenna design, channel modelling, understanding of limits of dense small cells, HetNet planning/optimisation tool development, IoT, VR and other high data rate applications in BEs. - Integrate mmW antennas and systems with BEs. - Create strong interactions between wireless communications and building/BE/urban design and planning. - Increase EU competitiveness in 5G/B5G, smart environment/building/city. - Develop academic and industry collaboration. - Create new and exciting career prospects for the fellows.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union