Train-to-Infrastructure Channel Modeling and Simulation in MmWave Band

Wireless communication has been a fundamental part of railway operation, control, and service systems for decades. In the era of 5G and beyond, the railway communication system is evolving from critical signaling to support various functions to improve the convenience, efficiency, and safety of railway services. Millimeter-wave (mmWave) bands and related technologies are the keys to this vision. Therefore, the characterization, modeling, and simulation of mmWave channels are critical for the design and performance evaluation, as well as for the construction of the future railway infrastructures. In this article, a brief overview of the architecture design of a train-to-infrastructure (T2I) mmWave communication system is provided. Based on investigating the existing research and related work on T2I mmWave channels, the challenges and requirements are identified, and the appropriate research paradigm and future directions in this area are discussed.