An Assessment of the Communications Technology Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Fiscal Year 2019 (2019) / Chapter Skim
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4 Metrology for Advanced Communications
4 Metrology for Advanced Communications
Pages 24-36
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From page 24... ...
TABLE 4.1 Metrology for Advanced Communications and Its Implementation across Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL) Priorities and Organizational Units CTL Priority Areas within Metrology for Advanced Communications Next Generation Fundamental Metrology for Trusted Spectrum Testing Wireless Communications PSCR WN X X RFT X X X NASCTN X NOTE: PSCR = Public Safety Communication Research Division; WN = Wireless Networks Division; RFT = Radio Frequency Technology Division; NASCTN = National Advanced Spectrum and Communications Test Network.
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From page 25... ...
There is substantial evidence that CTL has accomplished a significant amount in multiple areas of interest to its stakeholders on a relatively limited and uncertain budget in a short period of time. Based on its significant accomplishments in a diverse portfolio of technical areas in a short period of time, the CTL is poised to capitalize on a number of timely and impactful opportunities, including: quantum-enabled metrology with applications in QISE; a new framework for channel metrology and modeling with the capability of predictive performance analysis to inform the design and deployment of next generation wireless networks; innovative hardware and platforms for testing and metrology of next generation wireless technology; continuing the growth and development of the NASCTN testbed and operational processes; leveraging machine learning, data science and statistical techniques to fully utilize the range of metrology capabilities at CTL and NIST to significantly increase, enhance and broaden the scope of its contributions and output to its stakeholders.
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From page 26... ...
The measurement capabilities developed by CTL using Rydberg atoms also offer a promising bridge to future research directions mentioned by the CTL director: quantum computing and optical communication networks. Rydberg atoms are being explored as promising candidates for physical realization of qubits (quantum bits)
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From page 27... ...
This area also ties in well with the increasing use of machine learning and data science techniques at CTL as evidenced by the newly-established laboratory space on the third floor of Building 3 that included a dedicated server for machine learning and high-intensity data analytics. Overall, this program is an excellent example of how timely investment of resources for the exploration of very fundamental physics principles (Rydberg atoms)
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From page 28... ...
The CTL team has proactively identified Optical Communications and Quantum Information Science and Engineering as promising new areas for research that synergistically build on the quantumenabled sensing work. Key Recommendation: The Radio Frequency Technology Division should broaden its research portfolio into the areas of optical communications technology and quantum information science and engineering -- both of which it has identified already -- while leveraging strategic collaborative partnerships with other NIST laboratories, including the Physical Measurement Laboratory and the Information Technology Laboratory.
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From page 29... ...
In the work led by the RFT Division; a number of new measurement and testing facilities have been developed, including anechoic chambers with robotic arms for radiation pattern measurements in static and mobile scenarios, a robotic aperture scanning testbed for making measurements appropriate for antenna arrays, reverberation chambers for creating different multipath propagation environments, and new methodologies and testbeds for characterizing the performance of channel sounders, including angular measurements. (The complementary work by the WN Division on channel modeling is discussed below in the section, Next Generation Wireless.)
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From page 30... ...
NEXT GENERATION WIRELESS Assessment of Technical Programs CTL is tackling a diverse range of timely and significant problems in the area of 5G wireless technology, fundamental metrology, and applications, particularly on the topics of 5G Channel Modeling and Measurements. In addition, CTL is providing outstanding stewardship of the 5G mmWave Channel Model Alliance.
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From page 31... ...
The measurements taken by these sounders, and extension of propagation parameters from those measurements, has led to a set of "ground truth" propagation data that can be used in the models for numerically evaluating the performance of different sounders Challenges and Opportunities There are a number of opportunities in the area of 5G channel modeling and measurements and next generation wireless networks that the CTL is poised to pursue, including: expanding the work to higher THz frequencies; expanding the work to UAV network channels; measurement campaigns for outdoor scenarios; quantifying the effects of human occupancy on indoor and outdoor channels and developing accurate channel models and an appropriate network modeling framework that has the capability to predict network performance in a given deployment area. The microwave uncertainty framework (MUF)
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Portfolio of Scientific Expertise The CTL staff engaged in Next Generation Wireless are highly qualified and represent a diverse range of expertise (including in channel modeling and measurement) that is essential for this crossdisciplinary effort, including RF hardware design, testing and measurement expertise, channel and network modeling, and data processing and analysis.
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The RFT Division provides expertise and collaboration in shared spectrum metrology on NASCTN projects using the National Broadband Interoperability Test Bed (NBIT) on the Boulder campus.
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Many of these spectrum bands have incumbent systems, and simplified spectrum sharing may be employed to accelerate availability of these bands for commercial use. The NIST CTL team has an opportunity to leverage its expertise and experience with CBRS to contribute to the development of solutions for these new bands, balancing the need for incumbent protection and the need for guaranteed spectrum access for commercial networks.
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From page 35... ...
Key Recommendation: CTL should continue vigorous support for the spectrum sensing and sharing activity, which has delivered impactful results. Portfolio of Scientific Expertise The CTL staff engaged in NASCTN are highly qualified and represent a diverse range of expertise that is essential for this cross-disciplinary effort, including RF hardware design, testing and measurement expertise, spectrum measurements, and data processing and analysis.
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From page 36... ...
FIGURE 4.1 The anechoic chamber of the National Broadband Interoperability Testbed located on the Boulder, Colorado, campus of NIST. SOURCE: NIST, available at https://www.nist.gov/sites/default/ files/styles/480_x_480_limit/public/images/2017/02/14/nbitanechoicchamber.jpg?
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