An Overview of Space Division Multiple Access Techniques in Cellular Systems

This paper provides an overview of the basic principles of Smart Antenna techniques as applied to the introduction of Space Division Multiple Access (SDMA) techniques in current mobile radio networks, as well as in Personal Communication Services (PCS), Personal Communications Networks (PCN) and the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). It is shown qualitatively how SDMA techniques can increase the capacity of cellular network. Furthermore, a new SDMA principle based on the non-homogeneous Quality of Service requirements in mobile multi-media networks is introduced with application to systems proposed for UMTS.