Repository logo
 

EM DeepRay: An Expedient, Generalizable, and Realistic Data-Driven Indoor Propagation Model

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Abstract

Efficient and realistic indoor radio propagation modelling tools are inextricably intertwined with the design and operation of next generation wireless networks. Machine learning (ML)-based radio propagation models can be trained with simulated or real-world data to provide accurate estimates of the wireless channel characteristics in a computationally efficient way. However, most of the existing research on ML-based propagation models focuses on outdoor propagation modelling, while indoor data-driven propagation models remain site-specific with limited scalability. In this paper we present an efficient and credible ML-based radio propagation modelling framework for indoor environments. Specifically, we demonstrate how a convolutional encoder-decoder can be trained to replicate the results of a ray-tracer, by encoding physics-based information of an indoor environment, such as the permittivity of the walls, and decode it as the path-loss (PL) heatmap for an environment of interest. Our model is trained over multiple indoor geometries and frequency bands, and it can eventually predict the PL for unknown indoor geometries and frequency bands within a few milliseconds. Additionally, we illustrate how the concept of transfer learning can be leveraged to calibrate our model by adjusting its pre-estimate weights, allowing it to make predictions that are consistent with measurement data.

Description

Keywords

Computational modeling, Ray tracing, Mathematical models, Predictive models, Indoor environment, Geometry, Data models, 5G, deep learning, indoor radio communication, machine learning (ML), radio propagation, ray tracing

Journal Title

IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0018-926X
1558-2221

Volume Title

Publisher

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Sponsorship
This work was supported by European Commission through the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, H2020-MSCA-ITN-2019, MSCA-ITN-EID, Grant No. 860239, BANYAN.