Feasibility Study of Outdoor Wireless Communication in the 60 GHz Band

In 2001, the Federal Communications Commission made available a large block of spectrum known as the 60 GHz band. The 60 GHz band is attractive because it provides the opportunity of multi-Gbps data rates with unlicensed commercial use. One of the main challenges facing the use of this band is poor propagation characteristics including high path loss and strong attenuation due to oxygen absorption. Antenna arrays have been proposed as a means of combating these effects. In this paper we study the feasibility of outdoor communication in the 60 GHz band. Because arrays are required for antenna gain and adaptability, we explore the use of arrays as a form of equalization in the presence of channel-induced intersymbol interference. A site-specific study is conducted using ray tracing to model an outdoor environment on the Virginia Tech campus. The performance of outdoor links is evaluated through simulation of the bit error probability.