IEEE P802.11 – UNIFIED CHANNEWL MODEL (UCM) TOPIC INTEREST GROUP (TIG) - MEETING UPDATE


Status of IEEE 802.11 Unified Channel Model TIG

Volker Jungnickel (Fraunhofer HHI), Chair
Charlie Petterson (Ericsson), Vice-chair

TBD (), Editor
Tuncer Baykas, Recording Secretary


Page Contents

Background

Goals

July 2025

September 2025

November 2025

Background

The Unified Channel Model (UCM) is a newly established Topic Interest Group (TIG) within the IEEE 802.11 Working Group. Its objective is to enable realistic simulation of next-generation WLAN stations (STAs) operating in millimeter-wave or optical wireless communication bands alongside simultaneous transmissions in traditional sub-7 GHz bands (2.4, 5, and 6 GHz). The key challenge is the development of channel models that are spatially consistent across all these frequency bands, meaning they are derived from a common three-dimensional environment with identical objects placed at the same locations.

Relevant documents presented in 802.11 WNG and in the working group that led to the creation of the UCM TIG:

https://mentor.ieee.org/802.11/dcn/25/11-25-1067-02-0wng-unified-channel-model-for-802-11.pptx  

https://mentor.ieee.org/802.11/dcn/25/11-25-1387-00-0000-proposed-tig-on-unified-channel-model.pptx

Goals

The charter of the IEEE 802.11 Unified Channel Model Topic Interest Group (UCM TIG) is to

        discuss use cases and requirements,

        develop a Unified Channel Model (UCM) and

        enable performance comparison of proposals for multilink operation (MLO) across sub‑7 GHz / mm-wave / optical bands.

The goals of the UCM TIG are to

        deliver a channel model that is spatially consistent across sub-7 GHz / mm-wave / optical bands,

        builds on already available and verified models,

        can be implemented using open software, and

        is well documented.

The final report will give advice to the IEEE 802.11 working group how far these goals are achievable already today and in what way they could be achieved ultimately.


November 2025

Main documents

·       November Agenda: https://mentor.ieee.org/802.11/dcn/25/11-25-1753-04-0ucm-ucm-tig-agenda-for-november-plenary.pptx  

·       November Presentations:

o   Towards a modern C++ framework for the IEEE indoor channel models, Stephan Jaeckel, 11-25/2118r0

o   MIMO Transmissions in Correlated Channel Model, Yanchun Li 11-25/2109r0

o   Multi-Frequency and Multi-Scenario Channel Measurement and Modeling Jianhua Zhang 11-25/2113r0

o   Overview of Indoor Multi-Band Broadband Measurements: From Microwave to Millimeter-Wave Frequencies, Robert Mueller, 11-25/2117r2

o   Discussion on the Unified Channel Model, Charlie Petterson, 11-25/2142r1

o   Proposed UCM TIG Technical Report Draft, 11-25/2169r1

·       November minutes: https://mentor.ieee.org/802.11/dcn/25/11-25-2138-01-0ucm-ucm-tig-november-2025-meeting-minutes.docx

·       Closing report: https://mentor.ieee.org/802.11/dcn/25/11-25-2185-00-0ucm-ucm-tig-closing-report-for-november.pptx  

Achievements

The main achievements of this meeting were:

·       A proposal to re-implement the existing 802.11 channel models as an open software, which should becomes available via https://github.com/stjaeckel/quadriga-lib as part of the open quadriga-lib (see http://quadriga-lib.org/index.html)

·       A first overview of available multi-band measurement results was given and discussed 11-25/2117r2. The group understood it is impossible to do any new measurement in the timeframe of the UCM TIG. Leverage existing results, as much as available.

·       First contributions on measurements from international experts (Prof. Jianhua Zhang’s group from Bejing University of Posts and Telecommunications) was given 11-25/2113r0. Discussion was limited due to bad Internet connection.

·       A proposal to reuse the existing modeling framework from 3GPP was made 11-25/2142r1 and to add the missing indorr scenarios which are typical for 802.11 technology. Reactions were positive in general. More information has been requested.

January 2026 plans

September 2025

Main documents

·       September Agenda: https://mentor.ieee.org/802.11/dcn/25/11-25-1601-03-0ucm-agenda-for-ucm-tig-september-2025.pptx   

·       September Contributions:

Achievements

The main achievements of this meeting were:

·       The UCM TIG approved the Chair (Volker Jungnickel), the Vice Chair (Charlie Petterson) and the Secretary (Tuncer Baykas).

·       The group reviewed feedback obtained from 802.11 members contained on slides 20-24 in doc. 11-25/1601r3 concerning the scope and goals of the UCM TIG.

·       The group approved a first timeline on slide 27 in doc. 11-25/1601r3.

·       A first contribution 11-25/1627r0 on a spatially consistent channel model applicable to multiple frequency bands could be presented. Discussion was postponed to the first telco.

·       It was agreed to handle further contributions during the teleconferences.

November 2025 plans

July 2025

Following a presentation in doc. 11-25/1067r2 and discussion during the WNG meeting in July 2025, and a short notice contained in doc. 11-25/1387r0 at the midweek plenary, the IEEE 802.11 working group approved the formation of the UCM TIG during its closing plenary by unanimous consent.

USEFUL LINKS TO OTHER SITES:

IEEE P802.11 WLANs RELATED

  1. Home
  2. IEEE 802.11 WiKi
  3. E-mail Reflectors Archives (Members Only)

OTHER SITES

  1. IEEE P802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee (LMSC)

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