Antenna selection in a multi-sector packet radio network

The performance of a number of antenna selection schemes in a multisector packet radio network is analyzed. In the model studied, it is assumed that the mobiles are symmetrically distributed within a circle centered at the base station. The circle is divided into M sectors. The station has M directional antennas, each aiming at one sector. Also available at the station are N_r receivers. Channel access time is divided into slots. At the beginning of a time slot, N_r antennas are selected and connected to the receivers. Once made, such connections last until the end of the time slot. The optimum scheme is compared with three suboptimum, but easier-to-implement schemes. It is found that for operation in the normal range of channel traffic levels, there is little difference in the throughputs of the four schemes