Finite-state Markov channel modeling for vehicle-to-infrastructure communications

Accurate and mathematically tractable channel models are valuable tools in the network performance analysis and simulation. Most of Markov chain channel models are designed based on first-order Markov chain, which means that each channel state can only transit to the adjacent states. However, this assumption is no longer valid when the transceivers operate in high mobility scenarios, such as high speed vehicle communications. The fast time-varying characteristic of channel cannot be described by first-order Markov chain accurately. In this paper, we propose a novel finite-state Markov chain (FSMC) channel model for vehicle-to-infrastructure communications considering the fast time-varying fading with high mobility. The accurate closed form expressions of state transition probabilities between any two channel states are derived. The accuracy of the proposed Markov channel model is validated by the extensive simulation results. Furthermore, the effects of vehicle speed on state transition probabilities are discussed.