Modeling and Design of Millimeter-Wave Networks for Highway Vehicular Communication (1706.00298v5)

Abstract: Connected and autonomous vehicles will play a pivotal role in future Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSs) and smart cities, in general. High-speed and low-latency wireless communication links will allow municipalities to warn vehicles against safety hazards, as well as support cloud-driving solutions to drastically reduce traffic jams and air pollution. To achieve these goals, vehicles need to be equipped with a wide range of sensors generating and exchanging high rate data streams. Recently, millimeter wave (mmWave) techniques have been introduced as a means of fulfilling such high data rate requirements. In this paper, we model a highway communication network and characterize its fundamental link budget metrics. In particular, we specifically consider a network where vehicles are served by mmWave Base Stations (BSs) deployed alongside the road. To evaluate our highway network, we develop a new theoretical model that accounts for a typical scenario where heavy vehicles (such as buses and lorries) in slow lanes obstruct Line-of-Sight (LOS) paths of vehicles in fast lanes and, hence, act as blockages. Using tools from stochastic geometry, we derive approximations for the Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) outage probability, as well as the probability that a user achieves a target communication rate (rate coverage probability). Our analysis provides new design insights for mmWave highway communication networks. In considered highway scenarios, we show that reducing the horizontal beamwidth from $90^\circ$ to $30^\circ$ determines a minimal reduction in the SINR outage probability (namely, $4 \cdot 10^{-2}$ at maximum). Also, unlike bi-dimensional mmWave cellular networks, for small BS densities (namely, one BS every $500$ m) it is still possible to achieve an SINR outage probability smaller than $0.2$.

• The paper proposes a stochastic geometry model to analyze millimeter-wave networks for highway vehicular communication, specifically addressing signal blockages by large vehicles.
• It derives analytical expressions for SINR outage and rate coverage probability, showing minimal impact from reducing horizontal beamwidth from 90° to 30°.
• The theoretical model is validated through simulations, providing practical insights for the deployment design of mmWave infrastructure along highways.

Overview of Millimeter-Wave Networks for Highway Vehicular Communication

The paper "Modeling and Design of Millimeter-Wave Networks for Highway Vehicular Communication" investigates the application of millimeter-wave (mmWave) technologies in vehicle communication systems on highways. It proposes a stochastic geometry-based model to scrutinize the link budget in mmWave vehicular networks where large vehicles can act as communication blockages. This research contributes to the advancements in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), emphasizing the need for high-speed and low-latency communication links.

Key Contributions

The paper introduces a theoretical framework for evaluating the performance of mmWave communication systems in a highway environment. Essential contributions include:

1. Modeling Vehicular Blockages:
   • A novel model is proposed that addresses how slow-moving heavy vehicles in outer lanes can obstruct line-of-sight (LOS) to fast-moving vehicles, affecting communication.
   • The model utilizes a mono-dimensional Poisson Point Process (PPP) to represent the locations of base stations (BSs) and blockages, offering flexibility in analyzing different traffic densities.
2. Performance Metrics:
   • The paper analytically derives expressions for the Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) outage probability and rate coverage probability.
   • Results indicate that reducing the horizontal beamwidth from 90° to 30° impacts the SINR outage probability minimally.
3. Simulation and Numerical Validation:
   • The theoretical model was validated via simulations, exhibiting high accuracy in predicting SINR outage and rate coverage performance for various BS densities and beamwidth configurations.

Theoretical and Practical Implications

From a theoretical standpoint, the paper extends the application of stochastic geometry in vehicular networks considering dynamic vehicular blockages, offering new insights into infrastructure design along highways. Practically, this research informs the deployment strategies of mmWave networks, aiding in the effective placement of roadside infrastructure to enhance data rate capabilities for autonomous vehicles, critical in enabling advanced ITS services.

Future Directions

The paper sets a foundation for further exploration into adaptive communication strategies and deployments in vehicular networks. Future work could dive into multi-path propagation effects, adaptive beamforming techniques under varying vehicular densities, or integrating machine learning models for dynamic network optimization. Enhanced research focusing on coping with NLOS conditions through cooperative communication protocols may also be beneficial. Deployment trials of mmWave networks can also be a promising direction to empirically validate theoretical predictions and address real-world challenges in highway scenarios.

In conclusion, this paper provides an in-depth investigation into the potential and challenges of implementing mmWave technology for vehicular communication on highways, contributing significantly to the design and optimization of future ITS infrastructure.