Correlation-Based Kronecker MIMO Channel Modelling and Capacity Estimation in MATLAB

A MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) system uses a larger number of antennas at the transmitter and receiver sides, so the signals can be combined in an optimal way, thus achieving better performance in terms of transmission channel capacity and bit error rate (BER). This paper provides an overview of the main MIMO radio channel models, taking into account their positive and negative properties, as well as the possibilities of their application, with the focus on correlation-based models. The key concepts in channel modeling are shown. Correlation-based models consider the channel matrix statistically, taking into account the correlation between the elements of the matrix, without taking into account the propagation of electromagnetic waves. Such models are often used for the development and verification of new algorithms. One of the most famous correlationbased models is the Kronecker model, which actually proposes an approximation of the full channel correlation matrix as the Kronecker product between the transmitter and receiver correlation matrices. This paper proposes also an efficient and simple MATLAB software solution for Kronecker channel modelling and for the estimation of system capacity using different input parameters.