Broadband Extended Array Response-Based Subspace Multiparameter Estimation Method for Multipolarized Wireless Channel Measurements

Abstract

The clustered delay line channel model, in which each cluster consists of many rays, is widely used for link-level evaluations in mobile communications. Multiple parameters of each ray, including the delay, amplitude, cross-polarization ratio (XPR), initial phases of four polarization combinations, and the azimuth and elevation angles of arrival and departure, must be known and are measured using a channel sounder. The number of rays in every cluster is usually greater than the number of elements in the antenna array of the channel sounder, which represents a challenging issue in multipolarized channel measurements. Based on the broadband extended array response of an electromagnetic vector antenna array, a new subspace estimation method is proposed to resolve a large number of rays. The inter-element spacing of the array can be greater than half the carrier wavelength, which reduces inter-element coupling and simplifies the array design, especially for millimeter-wave bands. The delay of each cluster is first estimated using the reference antenna element. Next, two-dimensional angles of every ray are estimated using the classic rank-deficient multiple signal classification algorithm. Finally, the initial phases, XPR, and amplitude of every ray are estimated. Simulation results validate the proposed method.