MIMO equalization for helicopter-to-ground communications

Multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) channel models derived from channel sounding experiments conducted at Cairns Army Airfield, Ft. Rucker, AL are used to assess MIMO equalizers based on time-reversal space-time block codes (TR-STBC). For the channels used in this case study, 2 × 1 MIMO equalizer offers an improvement of 0.75 dB to 1.5 dB relative to the ideal informed transmitter using transmit selection diversity. The data also demonstrate that the “best” transmitter-to-receiver antenna combination changes. Consequently, without channel information, the uninformed transmitter has no choice but to use a TR-STBC.