Assessing the 28 GHz Channel Capacity Enhancement in NLOS Mine Tunnels Through RIS Deployment
Aurélien Surier, Nadir Hakem, Nahi Kandil · 2024
This work evaluates the use of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) in underground mine tunnels to enhance channel capacity under high fading conditions at 28 GHz. We focus on the absorptive and reflective modes of RIS in mitigating communication challenges in these Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) environments. Using 3D ray launching simulations, we model a mine section to assess a profitable positioning of the RIS and its impact on specific propagation paths. Results indicate that reflective RIS can boost channel capacity in scenarios with significant path loss, while absorptive surfaces are effective in high multipath scenarios. This study underscores the potential of RIS in complex, constrained environments, highlighting the necessity of real-world validation.