Improvement of Diversity and Capacity of MIMO System Using Scatterer Array

A method of improving the diversity and capacity of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) systems in nonisotropic multipath environments by loading a scatterer array is proposed. The difference between array diversity and super-resolution imaging is discussed first. The phase differences caused by the “effective space” between adjacent antenna elements are the critical factors of diversity enhancement. The scatterer array, which is made of cross-structure periodically, is placed on top of the antenna array to adjust the phase center of the radiation pattern of each antenna port. By increasing the “equivalent size” of the antenna array, the correlation of part of the adjacent ports in the antenna array is decreased; thus, the array diversity is improved. Through a set of comparative examples, the effectiveness of the scatterer array is clearly demonstrated.