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Characterising an In-Room MIMO System Employing Elevation-Directional Access Point Antennas

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Abstract

The performance of an in-room MIMO system is investigated with the use of elevation-directional access point (AP) antennas which emphasize wall-reflected NLOS components instead of non-directional antennas. Simulation results suggest that the mean MIMO capacity throughout an idealised in-room environment can be improved on the order of 14% coupled with a 3% increase in mean relative MIMO gain if the appropriate main-lobe elevation direction is selected. The associated antennas are omnidirectional in azimuth and exhibit directivities and elevation half-power beamwidths on the order of 6 dBi and 28°, respectively. Experimental results obtained via channel measurements reveal more modest improvements due to the increased multipath richness exhibited by the real environment; a mean capacity improvement of approximately 5% is achieved, but this is accompanied by a minor reduction in relative MIMO gain. This level of performance may not be significant enough to warrant switching to elevation-directional AP antennas; however, the measured results provide qualitative verification of the simulation model. In any case, the results quantify the modest in-room MIMO performance gains one should expect when considering only wall reflections in the design of elevation-directional AP antennas at microwave frequencies.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the University of New Brunswick.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Solace Power, Mount Pearl, NL, A1N 5E7, Canada

    Chris D. Rouse

  2. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada

    Brent R. Petersen & Bruce G. Colpitts

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Correspondence to Chris D. Rouse.

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Rouse, C.D., Petersen, B.R. & Colpitts, B.G. Characterising an In-Room MIMO System Employing Elevation-Directional Access Point Antennas. Wireless Pers Commun 96, 3889–3905 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11277-017-4356-3

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