Quantifying range extension capability of MIMO: a simulation study based on WINNER II model

Abstract

In this paper, we target to quantify the range extension capabilities of multi-antenna systems based on simulations using the WINNER II channel model. We are interested in tactical scenarios where communications take place between a vehicle and a relay-tower of a medium height in rural environments. It was found that, for the frequency bands of 1 to 5 GHz, using $2 \times 2$ MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) systems with 1 m inter-antenna spacing results in increasing the communication range by a factor of about 3.5 compared to SISO (single-input single-output) systems. Detailed comparison are provided for different operating frequencies and inter-antenna spacings.