MmWave and VLC-Based Indoor Channel Models in 5G Wireless Networks

Abstract

MmWave and VLC are two promising technologies for future 5G indoor communications to enable gigabit-per-second data transmission and to meet the ever increasing capacity requirements. Only with a solid understanding of the channels on mmWave and VLC can researchers and industry practitioners further explore the appropriate architectures and efficient communication schemes. In this article we focus on two recent indoor channels in future 5G networks based on mmWave and VLC. The article first discusses their operating frequency, room dimension, and transceiver configuration, which are among the key factors deciding the channel characteristics and impacting the communication performance. The detailed analysis on path loss and time dispersion for both mmWave and VLC channels are then elaborated. Finally, comparisons between mmWave and VLC channels and discussions on VLC and mmWave applications are presented. The study in this article shows that VLC and mmWave channels share some common characteristics while differing in others, which makes them appealing in different application scenarios.