Antenna systems for EGPRS handsets

The next generation GSM terminals will include EGPRS, offering high data rate services and packet data services. Data rates up to 473.6 kbits/s are theoretically possible, but only at very high SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) and CIR (channel impulse response) levels. Using an antenna system (i.e. more than one antenna port) in the handset, it is possible to combine the signals from the antennas in such a way that both the SNR and CIR level is improved. For data services, an improvement in the SNR and CIR level directly translates into an increased data throughput. This paper investigates the possible data throughput increase for EGPRS that can be obtained by using antenna systems in a handset with two antennas.