Atmospheric impact on the performance of a 60GHz point­to­point link for 5G 

infrastructuresLinge, N, Odum, R, Hill, S, von Hünerbein, S, Linnebank, P, Sutton, A and 

Townend, D

http://dx.doi.org/10.1049/cp.2018.1073

Title Atmospheric impact on the performance of a 60GHz point­to­point link for 5G infrastructures

Authors Linge, N, Odum, R, Hill, S, von Hünerbein, S, Linnebank, P, Sutton, A and Townend, D

Type Conference or Workshop Item

URL This version is available at: http://usir.salford.ac.uk/50087/

Published Date 2018

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Atmospheric impact on the performance of a 60GHz

point-to-point link for 5G infrastructures Nigel Linge1, Rowani Odum1, Steve Hill1, Sabine Von-Hunerbein1, Patrick Linnebank2, Andy Sutton3, Dave Townend4

1 School of Computing, Science and Engineering, University of Salford, Salford, UK 2 NEC Europe, Amsterdam, Netherlands 3 Architecture and Strategy, BT Technology, Services and Operations, BT Centre, London, UK

4 Wireless Research, BT Technology, Services and Operations, Adastral Park, Martlesham, Ipswich, UK

5G will see the emergence of ultra-dense network infrastructures based on a small

cell architecture. Such architectures will bring new challenges in the provision of backhaul and it is here where significant interest is being shown in the adoption of millimetre-wave solutions (30GHz to 300GHz).

Millimetre-wave spectrum offers the following advantages:

• attenuation due to atmospheric and moisture absorption limits the amount of interference between adjacent point-to-point backhaul links;

• narrow beam technology aids security.

• favourable license regime, often unlicensed, applies to frequencies within V-Band (57 to 66GHz).

However, there is also a need to better understand its resilience against varying weather conditions and over an extended period of time.

Aim:

Establish a point to point 60GHz link on the University of Salford (UK) campus, and assess its operating performance against varying weather conditions

over a period of 12 months.

A 60GHz link established between the Maxwell and

Newton Buildings (approx. 210m) using two NEC

iPASOLINK SX Advanced IP Radios.

Continuous data sent over the link at approx. 300Mbps.

Monitoring throughout and radio management

information along with atmospheric data recorded by a

nearby weather station.

Initial Data Analysis:

Whilst the project is on-going, initial data analysis shows a clear correlation between link path loss and the rate of change of barometric pressure.

CONTACT and Further Information:

For further information about this project, please contact: Professor Nigel Linge: n.linge@salford.ac.uk 0161 295 4759 @NigelLinge

System throughput

(August 2017 to February 2018).

Reduction in throughout corresponds to periods

of rapid change in the barometric pressure.

August 2017 December 2017 November 2017

Link path loss (dB) [blue trace] plotted against barometric pressure [red trace] for each of the three months highlighted.

NOTE:

That the system throughput was

upgraded in mid-October. Hence

the step change visible in the

graph.