Characterization of Radio Links at 60 GHz Using Simple Geometrical and Highly Accurate 3-D Models

In order to effectively deploy high data rate millimeter-wave communication systems in urban environments, accurate information about the radio-wave propagation channel is essential. Radio-wave propagation in urban scenarios strongly depends on the topography of the immediate surroundings. A measurement campaign has been carried out to evaluate the impact of propagation effects on the radio channel at the rooftop level of buildings. In the simulation part of the paper, we present two 3-D models produced with different techniques: first, a simple geometrical model and, second, a highly accurate close-range photogrammetry model; the latter replicates the detailed building geometry. To construct a highly accurate 3-D model, images obtained by an unmanned aerial vehicle were utilized together with the photogrammetry technique. In this paper, we provide a thorough comparison between the measured and the simulated power delay profiles by conducting shooting-and-bouncing ray-based simulations for the rooftop scenario using two 3-D models of different accuracy. The results show that the use of the close-range photogrammetry model can provide better propagation prediction at millimeter-wave frequencies.