Computationally Efficient Millimeter-Wave Scattering Models: A Multiple-Scattering Model

Backscattering by objects is a relevant phenomenon in millimeter-wave (mm-wave) propagation. Accordingly, computationally efficient models characterizing this process are now available in the literature. However, these models are restricted to single-surface contributions. In this article, we propose a multiple-scattering model for calculating backscattered fields due to consecutive interactions with several smooth electrically-large rectangular surfaces. The model is fundamentally based on the cascading of single-scattering events. In addition, the model is later extended to capture single-scattering blockage between backscattering events. The model is implemented using a Fresnel-integral-based method and validated by means of electromagnetic (EM) simulations and measurements. Furthermore, insight on the effects of the model parameters—number of surfaces, frequency, surface size, surface height-to-width ratio, surface displacement, and antenna-to-surface and surface-to-surface distances—is provided. Due to its computational efficiency, the proposed model can be suitable for system- and link-level simulations of wireless systems, particularly when Monte Carlo simulations are applied.