Achieving practical MIMO network planning using the Two-Curve MIMO Performance Model

The two-curve MIMO performance model provides network planners with an intuitive model for MIMO system performance that not only incorporates the site-specific effects of multipath correlation, but also improves prediction accuracy compared to a single-curve lookup table. Most notably, the 2CMPM improved the standard deviation of the prediction by 8 Mbps in the 5.2 GHz band. Further, analysis of the data shows that in LOS environments 802.11n systems will begin to see significant decreases in MIMO performance as the LOS distance from the transmitter to the receiver increases beyond approximately 15 m at 2.4 GHz and approximately 7 m at 5.2 GHz. These results show that the performance of MIMO systems can be characterized and planned without the need for overly complicated spatio-temporal modeling techniques. The 2CMPM can provide network planners with a prediction of bit rate coverage without having to resort to time-consuming and difficult simulation techniques.