Deterministic and Statistical-Based Channel Models in the MIMO Link Evaluation

This letter studies the performance of a multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) link in a macrocell environment, with emphasis on the effects of the antenna parameters as applied in different channel models. Two types of channel models are used in this evaluation. The first is a deterministic electromagnetic-based channel model that physically describes the antennas within the channel environment, capturing their detailed effects on the link performance. The second is a standardized statistical-based model where the 3GPP spatial channel model (SCM) is investigated. The antenna effects in this channel are roughly included through the radiation patterns of isolated dipoles. The differences between the channel model types as applied to the antenna parameters are discussed. Our analyses show that understanding the assumptions made in the different channel models is important in the evaluation of a system, especially in multiple-antenna systems.