On the Influence of Incomplete Data Models on Estimated Angular Distributions in Channel Characterisation

Despite the popularity of the use of high-resolution parameter estimation for channel characterisation and modelling purposes, the influence of the antenna data model on robustness and accuracy of the estimation has been underexposed. The point to be addressed in this paper is that the use of an incomplete data model inherently will result in biased and artificially spread angular estimates. For some antenna array types, estimation bias is even unavoidable, irrespective of the used data model. It is not inconceivable that the popular approach of clustering multi-paths components for channel modelling is spurred by the artefacts resulting from data model choices as described in this paper. Practical examples are given for two popular types of arrays, the uniform linear and uniform circular array.