Antonio Forenza Presents at 802.11n Meeting

Antonio Forenza presented a paper entitled "Simulation of the Spatial Covariance Matrix" at the standardization meeting of IEEE 802.11n held November 10th-14th, 2003 in Albuquerque, NM. Forenza co-authored the paper with David J. Love (both are WNCG Ph.D. students), and their advisor Prof. Robert W. Heath, Jr.

The topic of the paper is simulation of the spatial covariance matrix for Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel modeling. The paper presents a new simulation approach that significantly reduces computational complexity. This method is particularly suitable for network simulators, where extended capacity analysis has to be carried out in multi-user scenarios. An accurate model to simulate the spatial characteristics for each user has to account for the different multi-paths of the wireless propagation environment. Each multi-path produces a different spatial signature at the receive antenna array, and this effect is modeled through the spatial covariance matrix. In the context of a network simulator, several users and multi-paths per user have to be simulated over long snapshots to measure average system performance. In this scenario the new approach dramatically reduces computational time.

MIMO communication technology achieves significant capacity gains as well as improved diversity advantage by using multiple antennas at the transmitter and receiver. Among other research fields, WNCG is currently investigating innovative MIMO techniques to improve the performance of wireless communications systems currently being standardized. The simulation method proposed at the 802.11n meeting will facilitate cross layer design and analysis of MIMO systems.