Solving the problem of choosing the right MIMO measurement antenna: Embedding/de-embedding

This paper proposes a novel method that allows evaluation for arbitrary antenna designs based on single measurement runs. The concept comprises different parts, namely antenna de-embedding from channel sounding data using high resolution DoA/DoD multipath estimations, e.g. based on the RIMAX. Subsequent channel synthesis by embedding prototype antennas into the antenna free description of the propagation channel. The arbitrary antennas under test as well as the measurement antennas are efficiently described and interpolated by the effective aperture distribution function (EADF). Limits of this novel method are found in the accuracy of the antenna free propagation model and the underlying model parameters to be estimated from the channel sounding data. The feasibility will be demonstrated using MIMO measurement data in an urban macro cell scenario.