Multiple access capability of indoor wireless networks using spatial diversity

We address the improvement in multiple access capability of an indoor wireless network that is achieved when equipment employing adaptive arrays is used. We specifically apply this improvement to the problem of optimal base-station placement. In the past we have considered indoor environments with conventional omnidirectional antennas. In this study we consider indoor wireless systems using adaptive arrays at the base-stations, and compare the results to those of the previous case in order to show and explain the advantages of the use of spatial diversity. The multiple access capability measures derived for the adaptive arrays scheme are used in the cost function for the solution of the optimal base-stations placement problem. We show that, in contrast to the omnidirectional case, where the minimisation of the cell-area overlap maximizes the capacity of the system, the use of an adaptive arrays scheme, achieves greater capacity when heavier cell-area overlap is allowed.