Reflection studies of Millimeter wave (35 GHz) by foliage in desert region of Thar, India

Abstract

Fifth generation communication systems are designed on base signal of millimeter wave. Millimeter wave range offers broad spectrum for various application. The only limitation for uses of millimeter wave is molecular absorption which totally depends on environmental conditions of local area. In Thar desert, foliage and vegetation are in least amount and environment is with less humidity which supports application of millimeter wave for military and civilian purposes. In this paper an attempt is made to represent the data which can be useful in designing RADAR or any other signal reflection-based system. A transceiver outdoor setup is used for measurement of reflected signal by different foliage types grows in desert.  Five different foliage types are chosen for experimentation, and it is observed that Neem tree which have leaf size in order of wavelength of 35 GHz signal, reflects least signal as it attenuates it in most. About 19.1 dBm and 17 dBm signal is get back by receiver when placement of receiver is on 15⁰ right and 15⁰ left from transmitter. Maximum signal is reflected by Peepal tree which have larger leaf size. About 21.3 dBm and 21.2dBm of signal strength is received back at right and left sides of transmitter. Cumulative modelling of reflected signal is very complex as it depends on various environmental factors and specific foliage type. Above presented data will be useful for designing system based on millimeter wave.

Keywords: Millimeter wave, Foliage, Reflection