Open Access
Digital twin modelling of open category UAV radio communications: a case study
(Elsevier, 2024) Aláez Gómez, Daniel; López Iturri, Peio; Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Villadangos Alonso, Jesús; Astrain Escola, José Javier; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
The modeling of radio links plays a crucial role in achieving mission success of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). By simulating and analyzing communication performance, operators can anticipate and address potential challenges. In this paper, we propose a full-featured UAV software-in-the-loop digital twin (SITL-DT) for a heavy-lifting hexacopter that integrates a radio link module based on an experimental path loss model for ‘Open’ category Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) conditions and drone-antenna radiation diagrams obtained via electromagnetic simulation. The main purpose of integrating and simulating a radio link is to characterize when the communication link can be conflicting due to distance, the attitude of the aircraft relative to the pilot, and other phenomena. The system architecture, including the communications module, is implemented and validated based upon experimental flight data.
Open Access
Spatial MIMO channel characterization under different vehicular distributions
(IEEE, 2024) Rodríguez Corbo, Fidel Alejandro; Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Shubair, Raed M.; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
Considering the large benefits brought by multipleinput- multiple-output (MIMO) technologies in vehicular communications, the analysis of MIMO channel characteristics using accurate and efficient channel models for these scenarios has become crucial. In this work, an intensive analysis of the MIMO channel characteristics in a mmWave vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication link with different vehicular distributions is performed. For that purpose, an in-house deterministic simulation channel model with an embedded MIMO channel approach has been developed. Experimental measurements in the same vehicular scenario have been performed to validate the proposed channel simulation technique. Variations in the capacity of the MIMO system have been analyzed in relation to different channel metrics, obtaining that the main contributors are the Signal-to- Noise Ratio (SNR) and the Angular Spread (AS).
Open Access
Wireless information power transfer assessment by deterministic radio propagation estimations in smart city contexts
(IEEE, 2025-03-12) Picallo Guembe, Imanol; López Iturri, Peio; Klaina, Hicham; Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Rodríguez Corbo, Fidel Alejandro; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
The development of context aware environments, such as those given in the framework of Smart Cities and Smart Regions require the use of ubiquitous connectivity and more recently, energy availability for a wide variety of Internet of Things based applications. In this work, estimations of wireless channel distributions for coverage/capacity as well as for energy availability will be presented, for outdoor as well as indoor scenarios with the aid of deterministic inhouse developed simulation tool. Volumetric assessment can be obtained, aiding in the radio network planning process, as well as in the feasibility of electromagnetic based energy harvesting solutions for Internet of Things based applications.
Open Access
UAVradio: Radio link path loss estimation for UAVs
(Elsevier, 2024) Aláez Gómez, Daniel; Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Villadangos Alonso, Jesús; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
The UAVRadio Python module is a comprehensive toolkit designed to facilitate the analysis and prediction of radio signal path loss in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) communication scenarios. The module encompasses a range of path loss models referenced from established literature, offering users a powerful and flexible framework for estimating signal attenuation in different UAV communication links. It is a versatile and modular tool that enables simple integration for optimizing UAV communication systems and ensuring reliable wireless connectivity in a variety of operational scenarios. The utility of this package is demonstrated through two relevant examples: an experimentally fit model comparison with other implemented models, and a UAV digital twin implementation example comparing different available models and frequencies. The examples are provided in the code repository along with comprehensive documentation.
Open Access
3D-RL MIMO capacity estimations under vegetation blockage
(IEEE, 2023-09-07) Rodríguez Corbo, Fidel Alejandro; Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Shubair, Raed M.; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
Multiplexing gains are one of the many promises for increasing throughput in multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) systems. In this sense, a rich scattered environment may be beneficial for the multiplexing capabilities of the MIMO channel. However, mm Wave frequency bands tend to have less effective multipath contributions than sub-6 GHz bands. In this work, an in-deep analysis of the multiplexing capabilities in a mm Wave vehicular-to-infrastructure (V2I) channel is performed. Metrics that may impact the channel capacity like received power and angle-of-arrival (AoA) Spread are fully analyzed as well.
Open Access
IIoT low-cost Zigbee-based WSN implementation for enhanced production efficiency in a solar protection curtains manufacturing workshop
(MDPI, 2024) Klaina, Hicham; Picallo Guembe, Imanol; López Iturri, Peio; Biurrun, Aitor; Alejos, Ana V.; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Socorro Leránoz, Abián Bentor; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
Nowadays, the Industry 4.0 concept and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) are considered essential for the implementation of automated manufacturing processes across various industrial settings. In this regard, wireless sensor networks (WSN) are crucial due to their inherent mobility, easy deployment and maintenance, scalability, and low power consumption, among other benefits. In this context, the presented paper proposes an optimized and low-cost WSN based on ZigBee communication technology for the monitoring of a real manufacturing facility. The company designs and manufactures solar protection curtains and aims to integrate the deployed WSN into the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in order to optimize their production processes and enhance production efficiency and cost estimation capabilities. To achieve this, radio propagation measurements and 3D ray launching simulations were conducted to characterize the wireless channel behavior and facilitate the development of an optimized WSN system that can operate in the complex industrial environment presented and validated through on-site wireless channel measurements, as well as interference analysis. Then, a low-cost WSN was implemented and deployed to acquire real-time data from different machinery and workstations, which will be integrated into the ERP system. Multiple data streams have been collected and processed from the shop floor of the factory by means of the prototype wireless nodes implemented. This integration will enable the company to optimize its production processes, fabricate products more efficiently, and enhance its cost estimation capabilities. Moreover, the proposed system provides a scalable platform, enabling the integration of new sensors as well as information processing capabilities.
Open Access
Analysis of interaction mechanisms and intercomparison of raytracing tools for optimizing THz simulations
(IEEE, 2025-03-11) Aksoy, Enes; Schultze, Alper; Fazli, Abdolvakil; Raschkowski, Leszek; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Navarro Cía, Miguel; Stanczak, Slawomir; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
This paper quantifies the weight of the different physical mechanisms (reflection, diffraction, and scattering) in a typical indoor THz wireless communication environment and provides an intercomparison of raytracing tools. Two state-of-the-art raytracing tools - Wireless InSite and Sionna - are utilized to analyze the capabilities of currently available open-source and commercial raytracing engines for THz simulations. A channel sounder measurement campaign at 300 GHz was conducted in a conference room at Fraunhofer HHI, which is used to validate the raytracing simulations. Additionally, the measurements are compared to a proprietary raytracer, optimized for THz simulations. This paper presents a guideline to increase the capabilities of state-of-the-art raytracing tools, to obtain good results for high frequency simulations. The comparisons show, that currently used raytracing tools are not sufficiently accurate for THz simulations. However, these inaccuracies can be mitigated by the implementation of new features, such as the inclusion of different scattering mechanisms and the incorporation of atmospheric attenuation, while utilizing precise geometry and accurate material parameter models.
Open Access
MmWave channel stationarity analysis of V2X communications in an urban environment
(IEEE, 2023) Rodríguez Corbo, Fidel Alejandro; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Shubair, Raed M.; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
Vehicular communication channels are subject to high nonstationarity mainly characterized by the scatterers’ and/or transceivers’ high mobility. In this sense, this letter presents a characterization of the channel quasi-stationarity regions (QSR) in a V2X generic high-dense urban environment at millimeter wave frequencies (28 GHz). Results are extracted from multiple snapshot simulations by means of a three-dimensional ray-launching algorithm inducing the continuous mobility of the vehicles on the scene and validated with an experimental campaign of measurements in the real scenario. The average power delay profile correlation matrix is used as a descriptor of the channel nonstationarity and the mean correlation is outlined for several thresholds. The obtained QSR results are consistent with the related works reported in the literature. Finally, the effects of these QSR in small- and large-scale parameters are assessed as per threshold considerations.
Open Access
Enabling anything to anything connectivity within urban environments towards cognitive frameworks
(IEEE, 2024-08-23) Picallo Guembe, Imanol; Klaina, Hicham; López Iturri, Peio; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Astrain Escola, José Javier; Villadangos Alonso, Jesús; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Ciencias; Zientziak; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
The evolution from Smart Cities towards Cognitive Cities is enabled, among others, by the use of flexible and adaptive communication systems, capable of providing high levels of interactivity among multiple systems and users. In this work, wireless connectivity in full volumetric scale is analyzed, in order to provide wireless links between any device/user within the scenario, spanning to different applications from vehicular connectivity at different levels or infrastructure related communications, among others.
Open Access
An enhanced approach to virtually increase quasi-stationarity regions within geometric channel models for vehicular communications
(IEEE, 2023) Rodríguez Corbo, Fidel Alejandro; Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Shubair, Raed M.; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
Vehicular communication channels are intrinsically non-stationary, as they present high mobility and abundant dynamic scatterers. Quasi-stationary regions can assess the degree of non-stationarity within a determined scenario and time variant observation of the channel can be extracted. These regions can aid geometrical models as to increase channel sampling intervals or to develop hybrid stochastic-geometric channel models. In this work, a new methodology for the use of virtual quasi-stationary regions within geometric channel models is proposed, in order to leverage the inherent location information to virtually increase their size. Overall, the use of delay-shifted channel responses improves the mean correlation coefficient between consecutive locations, ultimately reducing computation time for time-variant geometric channel models.