Performance Evaluation of Cross-Polarized Antenna Selection over 2 GHz Measurement-Based Channel Models

In a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system, cross-polarized antenna selection yields significant reduction in cost and hardware size. However, actual benefits of the technique are dependent on the propagation characteristics including channel polarization. To accurately characterize the target 2 GHz-band MIMO channels, the authors conduct 2 GHz cross-polarized channel measurement campaigns. Based on the measured data, novel channel models specifically for the 2 GHz bands are established. In addition, we evaluate the performance improvement obtained with cross-polarized antenna selection using the channel models. Simulation results reveal that antenna selection is particularly useful in the low SNR regime, and that the system capacity at cell edges can be increased up to 13%.