Results of Suburban Base Station Spatial Diversity Measurements in the UHF Band

Base station spatial diversity measurements at 821 MHz have been performed in a New Jersey suburban area using directional antennas separated by 3.4, 6.6, and 10 wavelengths. The cross-correlation coefficients between the signals received by pairs of antennas have been computed as a function of antenna height, antenna separation, and signal polarization. Both vertical and horizontal antenna spacings have been investigated. The cross-correlation coefficients were obtained by measurements in ten different probe areas, ranging from 1 to 5 miles in distance from the base station. Results of the measurements indicate that for vertically polarized antennas 100 ft above ground level, an antenna separation of 6-7 wavelengths in the horizontal plane provides sufficient signal decorrelation for satisfactory diversity operation.