Blockage loss and shadow fading behavior of millimeter-wave signals due to human bodies at 28 GHz

Abstract

As the millimeter-wave (mm-Wave) spectrum is considered to be an essential enabler to the fifth generation (5G) wireless communication systems. Human movements are one of the most significant factors that cause transient blockage in indoor mm-wave channels. In this letter, human blockage measurements and shadow fading statistics due to human body movements in an indoor office environment are reported for the 28 GHz band. The effect of human bodies on the channel is measured for several scenarios including a variety of population and using diverse antenna heights. The reported shadow fading statistics include both the duration and the depth of the blockage fade, and accordingly, we propose several empirical models that cater for such blockage events. The findings reported in this letter could improve the modeling of indoor radio channels at 28 GHz bands by considering the presence of humans, as well as their movements.