Channel Characteristics Analysis of 60 GHz Wireless Communications in Staircase Environments

The fifth generation mobile communication (5G) is being commercialized. As two pivotal technologies of 5G, millimeter-wave (mmWave) and massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) have attracted widespread attention. Many measurements and simulations have been conducted in various indoor scenarios combining these two technologies. Nevertheless, staircase environments are rarely involved. This paper investigates the channel characteristics of MIMO technology at 60 GHz frequency band in a staircase environment. A simulation campaign with 8×16 MIMO and 1×128 multiple-input single-output (MISO) systems is carried out. In case of 8×16 MIMO system, the change tendency of average power delay profile (APDP) with the movement of receiver (Rx) is studied. The large-scale parameters (LSPs) such as path loss, shadow fading (SF), root-mean-square (RMS) delay spread (DS) and angular spread (AS), Ricean K-factor (KF) are also analyzed. Then the inter-parameter correlation and decorrelation distance for above LSPs are calculated. In addition, the spatial correlation coefficient between antenna elements of the 64-element linear array at disparate transmitter (Tx) heights is also demonstrated. The channel parameter characteristics studied in this paper will provide an insight into the design of future wireless communication systems for staircase environments.