Fifth-generation (5G) indoor wireless communication systems are expected to make use of millimetre-wave frequencies (i.e. greater than 30 GHz) in order to take advantage of the significant bandwidths available. Unlike the transmissions of current indoor wireless systems (operating at frequencies less than 6 GHz), millimetre-wave signals behave similar to light and diffraction cannot be relied on to propagate energy into regions of geometrical shadow. This means that even small scale objects in office environments (such as filing cabinets, chairs, tables and even people) can block the signals between mobiles and (fixed) access points. However, these geometrical shadow regions can be reduced to some extent via the use of wall/ceiling mounted reflectors which provide alternative propagation paths.
This project will investigate the design of reflectors (both planar and shaped) to establish how effective this approach is in reducing shadow regions and thereby enhancing system performance.
Undergraduate
Proposed design of reflectors (planar or shaped) for use in millimetre-wave coverage enhancement.
Pre-requisite: ELECTENG307
Co-requisite: ELECTENG721
Lab allocations have not been finalised