3D Cluster-Based Ray Tracing Technique for Massive MIMO Channel Modeling

Abstract

In this paper, a novel 3 dimensional (3D) approach is proposed for precise modeling of massive multiple input multiple output (M-MIMO) channels in millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies. This model is based on both deterministic and statistic computations to extract characteristics of the propagation channel. In order to increase algorithm execution speed, the physical channel is divided into two regions. The first region refers to those parts of the channel which can be mapped with simple planes such as walls, ramps and etc. The second region is usually complex which is defined by considering the channel with physical clusters. These physical clusters yield multipath components (MPCs) with similar angles of arrival (AoA) and time delay. The ray-tracing algorithm is utilized to find ray paths from transmitter (Tx) to receiver (Rx). Some characteristics of MPCs in each cluster are defined according to some appropriate statistical distribution. The non-stationary property of M-MIMO along the antenna array axis is considered in the algorithm. Due to the correspondence between the propagation environment and scatters, the accuracy of the model is highly increased. To evaluate the proposed channel model, simulation results are compared with some measurements reported in the literature.

Keywords

• Channel modeling
• Clustering
• Massive MIMO
• Millimeter wave
• Ray tracing
• 5G