Phase Turbulence Prediction Method for Line-of-Sight Multiple-Input–Multiple-Output Links Caused by Atmospheric Environment

Abstract

The multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) phase of the received signal is the most important parameter in the line-of-sight MIMO (LOS MIMO) system. The MIMO phase turbulence often occurs in practical applications, and the LOS MIMO system cannot operate normally in severe cases. However, there is no practical MIMO phase prediction method presently. A tropospheric radio-duct during phase turbulence was observed using a mesoscale numerical weather prediction (NWP) model. In this study, a novel MIMO phase prediction method was proposed. In the method, the tropospheric refractivity profile was predicted using a mesoscale NWP model, and then MIMO phase was predicted by the parabolic equation model. The comparison of the predicted MIMO phases with the measured results shows good agreement. MIMO phase turbulence prediction method can provide support for LOS MIMO system performance prediction.