Channel Measurements, Characterization and Performance Analysis for an Aircraft Cabin From mmWave to Sub-THz Communication

Aircraft cabin communication takes on a key role in communication networks. Due to the increasing demand for high data rates among passengers, millimetre-wave (mmWave) and sub-Terahertz (sub-THz) bands, with abundant spectrum resources, are envisioned as promising options. Therefore, detailed channel measurements are required to understand significant channel characterization in aircraft cabins. This paper presents a comprehensive comparison and analysis of channel characterization at 28 GHz, 38 GHz, and 130 GHz based on extensive measurements conducted in an aircraft cabin. A total of 84 transmitter-receiver (Tx-Rx) positions are measured, covering both line-of-sight (LoS) and non-LoS conditions, with Tx-Rx distance ranging from 1 m to 10 m. Based on the measured data, both large-scale and small-scale channel characterization parameters are extracted and analyzed. Statistical models of path loss, shadow fading, Rician K-factor, root-mean-square (RMS) delay spread, and RMS angular spread are proposed. The characterization is analyzed using the power-delay-angular profile and power-angular spectrum. The multipath components are clustered using the density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise algorithm to analyze their intra-cluster delay spread and intra-cluster angle spread. In addition, this paper analyses the system capacity and outage probability, providing some basis for communication system design and planning. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first to have both mmWave and sub-THz measurements and analysis performed on an aircraft cabin.