A Measurement Based Approach to Predict the MIMO Throughput of the LTE Downlink in RF Planning Tools

An approach to predict the throughput of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission systems in radio network planning tools is proposed in this paper. Two different measurement campaigns have been evaluated. At first the Shannon MIMO transmission capacity is calculated based on MIMO channel sounder measurements. At second LTE throughput measurements in a field trial network with specific network configurations have been investigated. Both campaigns were located in urban areas and a 2×2 MIMO system with cross-polarised antennas was used. The MIMO capacity gain is derived from both investigations and it is shown that it is correlated with the difference between the free space path loss and the experienced path loss. This measure is the basis of the suggested approach. It includes the length as well as the land usage of the radio path and it requires only input data which is generally available from macro cell propagation models.