Introducing Space into MIMO Capacity Calculations

Abstract

The large spectral efficiencies promised for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless fading channels are derived under certain conditions which do not fully take into account the spatial aspects of the channel. Spatial correlation, due to limited angular spread or insufficient antenna spacing, significantly reduces the performance of MIMO systems. In this paper we explore the effects of spatially selective channels on the capacity of MIMO systems via a new capacity expression which is more general and realistic than previous expressions. By including spatial information we derive a closed-form expression for ergodic capacity which uses the physics of signal propagation combined with the statistics of the scattering environment. This expression gives the capacity of a MIMO system in terms of antenna placement and scattering environment and leads to valuable insights into the factors determining capacity for a wide range of scattering models.