Three Dimensional Modeling and Space-Time Correlation for UAV Channels

Recently, the use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is going to receive great interest in various areas. As a newly emerging area, UAV-aided communications encounter unique communication scenarios and thus need corresponding UAV channel models for better design of such UAV communication systems. In this paper, we propose a three-dimensional (3D) sphere UAV air-to-ground (A2G) multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) channel model. Based on the proposed channel model, the space-time (ST) correlation function of this model is derived and analytically studied in terms of various parameters. Some interesting and useful observations are obtained. Finally, we verify the usefulness of the proposed channel model by comparing it with measured data. This model provides a new and practical approach to investigate A2G MIMO channels and gives guidelines for UAV communication system design.