Spatio-temporal channel characterization: theoretical framework and applications in MIMO system design

Abstract

The utilization of multiple antennas and space-time codes in multiple-input and multipleoutput (MIMO) communication systems significantly improves the transmission channel capacity without using additional bandwidth and power. The improvement is achieved by decomposing the spatial structure of transmission channels and performing appropriate temporal and spatial multiplexing. In this paper, we propose a novel theoretical framework for MIMO channel modeling and characterization in order to facilitate the MIMO system design and performance evaluation. The channels are represented in space, time, wave vector, and frequency domains while the space-time and wave vector-frequency interdependences are considered. A realization of the theoretical framework, in a form of a practical framework, is also proposed to address the channel modeling and characterization at both transmitter and receiver sides. The utilization of the practical framework in MIMO communication system design is discussed to illustrate its applications in realistic scenarios. The angle of arrival estimation based on the proposed practical framework using field test measurement data is also presented as illustrative examples.