Statistical Analysis of Beam Dynamics in 5G Networks Using Drive-Test Measurements

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze 5G beam dynamics using extensive drive-test measurements across 100km2 in urban and suburban Vienna. We introduce dwell distance as a spatial metric to quantify beam stability, which is essential for predicting how frequently beam handovers are needed in mobile scenarios. We also examine angular spread, which characterizes the angular dispersion of incoming signals and impacts beamforming accuracy and interference management. Results show that dwell distances vary from centimeters to over a kilometer, increasing with distance from the base station. Beam transitions predominantly occur between adjacent beams, with approximately 65% of all transitions involving a switch to a neighboring beam. Angular spread decreases with distance and tends to be larger in suburban areas. These findings are critical for optimizing 5G beam management and improving overall network reliability and efficiency.