mmWave Communications in the Built Environments

The rapid growth of mobile data traffic is concentrated in hot spots such as business districts, airports, and stadiums, posing significant challenges for 5G and beyond-5G (B5G) wireless networks. Addressing these challenges requires ultra-dense deployment of millimetre-wave small cells and massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology. However, there are gaps in performance characterisation, radio channel measurements, and millimetre-wave small-cell deployment in built environments. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the WAVECOMBE project will combine key enabling technologies for 5G/B5G networks to address fundamental questions. Research activities will include developing and testing millimetre-wave small cells and massive MIMO antennas, characterising radio propagation channels, and optimising the performance of networks using massive MIMO and millimetre-wave small cells.