Directional antennas for point-to-multipoint millimetre wave communications

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the feasibility and potential performance of applying an antenna array of directional elements such as horn antennas for mmWave point-to-multipoint communications. We propose a conceptual design of the array, and review options for antenna elements and mechanical steering devices. We then estimate the achievable performance with respect to link data rate and distance, and show that pointing to users exactly does not always achieve system capacity, but the gap is typically small. We also provide comparison for two types of multiple access schemes.