MmWave Physical Layer Network Modeling and Planning for Fixed Wireless Access Applications

The large bandwidths that are available at millimeter-wave frequencies enable fixed wireless access (FWA) applications, in which fixed point-to-point wireless links are used to provide internet connectivity. In FWA networks, a wireless mesh is created and data are routed from the customer premises equipment (CPE) towards the point of presence (POP), which is the interface with the wired internet infrastructure. The performance of the wireless links depends on the radio propagation characteristics, as well as the wireless technology that is used. The radio propagation characteristics depend on the environment and on the considered frequency. In this work, we analyzed the network characteristics of FWA networks using radio propagation models for different wireless technologies using millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies of 28 GHz, 60 GHz, and 140 GHz. Different scenarios and environments were considered, and the influence of rain, vegetation, and the number of subscribers was investigated. A network planning algorithm is presented that defines a route for each CPE towards the POP based on a predefined location of customer devices and considering the available capacity of the wireless links. Rain does not have a considerable effect on the system capacity. Even though the higher frequencies exhibit a larger path loss, resulting in a lower power of the received signal, the larger bandwidths enable a higher channel capacity.

Automated summary

The large bandwidths available at millimeter-wave frequencies enable fixed wireless access (FWA) applications. In FWA networks, data are routed from customer premises equipment (CPE) to point of presence (POP) through wireless links. This study analyzes FWA networks using radio propagation models for different wireless technologies at millimeter-wave frequencies. The impact of rain, vegetation, and the number of subscribers on network performance is investigated. A network planning algorithm is presented based on customer device location and available capacity of wireless links. Rain has minimal effect on system capacity. Higher frequencies result in lower power of received signal, but larger bandwidths enable higher channel capacity.