Urban Line-of-Sight Probability for mmWave Mobile Access and Fronthaul Transmission Hubs

The line-of-sight (LOS) probability model is a fundamental tool in evaluating high frequency (mmWave) mobile network deployments. This paper utilises a large scale 1875 sq km, high resolution environmental model of representative UK cities to analyse the statistical LOS properties of urban macro (UMa) base stations. The digital environment results are used to evaluate the accuracy of analytical probability models such as those published in industry standard guidelines. A LOS probability distribution for UK street lamp posts is presented to quantify the feasibility of wireless fronthaul connectivity from macro cell hub sites to new street level small cells. In addition, generalised LOS results are presented at a range of end point heights permitting a new UMa model to be proposed. The new model addresses shortcomings of existing models whilst describing the likelihood for LOS conditions between macro sites and street canyon end points at heights of up to 10 m.