Confirmation of random matrix model for the antenna array channel by indoor measurements

A random matrix model for communication via antenna arrays, introduced recently by one of the authors (see Muller, R.R., Proc. of 38th Ann. Allerton Conf. Commun., Control & Comp., 2000), characterizes the space-time nature of the channel in terms of the asymptotic eigenvalue distribution of its space-time covariance matrix as a function of the. number of transmit antennas, receive antennas and significant scattering objects. This paper finds that Muller's theoretical predictions accurately match data obtained from indoor measurements of MIMO channels. The number of significant scattering objects is found to vary strongly with frequency. The latter effect is described by the newly introduced richness spectrum.