Characterization of Line-of-Sight MIMO Channel for Fixed Wireless Communications

In this letter, we proposed an approach to construct multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) channel in line-of-sight (LOS) environment. It could be a potential technique for high-speed data transmission in fixed broadband wireless access (BWA). Based on Ricean fading channel model, our research is focused on the characteristics of the channel matrix such as the condition number. The initial discussion starts from a 4 times 4 MIMO scheme that the four antennas formed a square array on each side. A design constraint for antenna arrangement as a function of frequency and distance is derived for the LOS MIMO communication. Since rigorous constraint is difficult to achieve in practice, simulation results of the acceptable deviation from optimal design in different cases are presented. Smart geometrical arrangement and multipolarization may also weaken this constraint