Three-Dimensional Modeling and Performance Analysis of Dynamic mmWave V2I Networks Based on Stochastic Geometry

Millimeter-wave (mmWave) technology is essential for meeting the reliable connectivity and high-capacity demands of autonomous driving applications. Vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) networks have been modeled and analyzed based on stochastic geometry (SG) in many studies. However, most studies focus only on two-dimensional (2D) antenna models and disregard a key characteristic of V2I networks, i.e., the rapid mobility of vehicles. In this work, a three-dimensional (3D) coverage and connectivity analysis framework is proposed for mmWave V2I downlink transmission based on SG. First, a realistic 3D system model is developed, which includes 3D transmission channel, blockage, and antenna array models. Then, exact expressions for the coverage probability, connectivity probability, and effective throughput of a typical vehicle are derived. Finally, the theoretical analysis is validated through simulation results, which also reveal that an optimal density of roadside units (RSUs) that maximizes spectral efficiency exists and that disregarding the effect of the vertical beam of a 3D antenna array can lead to inaccurate evaluations. Moreover, appropriately setting system parameters can mitigate the negative impact of high vehicular mobility on connectivity performance.