Deterministic Modeling of 5G Millimeter-Wave Communication in an Underground Mine Tunnel

This paper presents broadband simulations and measurements of Millimeter-Waves (mm-wave) propagation in a rugged underground mine environment. Mathematical formulation was carried out in the framework of Uniform Theory of Diffraction (UTD) to develop a deterministic Ray-Tracing (RT) model under Line-Of-Sight (LOS) condition. The developed theoretical model was then validated experimentally in Frequency Domain (FD) and Time Domain (TD). A significant agreement between simulations and measurements is achieved in both domains. The rough surfaces of the mine are modeled deterministically as groups of diffracting wedges having random dimensions (heights, angles) being transversely oriented throughout the gallery. Acute (inferior to 30°) and obtuse (superior to 120°) wedges angles are found to have significant effects on the overall propagation performance. In the mm-wave band, the UTD diffraction phenomenon is evident and must be considered in the design of underground mine channels. In fact, the presented model is found to be capable of predicting the complex multipath of underground mine channels, due to the ray-optical behavior at mm-wave bands.