6G Industrial Networks: Mobility-Centric Evaluation of Multi-Cell mmWave Systems

The adoption of Millimeter-Wave (mmWave) technology in industrial environments presents significant challenges in maintaining consistent Quality of Service (QoS) under dynamic and complex conditions. This study investigates the performance of a multi-cell mmWave network deployed in a large-scale industrial hall, emphasizing the mobility of end devices and their interaction with environmental factors. Measurements were conducted using a Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G network configuration with one sub-6 GHz anchor and two mmWave Radio Units (RUs) deployed for comprehensive coverage. The evaluation highlights key aspects such as Secondary Node (SN) changes, end device orientation, and network load conditions. Results from mobile measurements reveal the influence of device alignment and environmental changes on performance, transmission power and connectivity, particularly in SN change areas. Additionally, the impact of static load generation on multi-cell network performance is examined, demonstrating the interplay between mobility and network capacity. These findings underscore the importance of precise device orientation and environmental awareness in optimizing mmWave deployments. Index Terms-mmWave communications, indoor measurements, multi-cell, multi-user, mobility.