Performance of two-branch polarisation antenna diversity in an operational GSM network

Measurements conducted in an operational GSM network have been used to evaluate the performance of two-branch polarisation diversity in terms of branch power ratio and cross power envelope correlation coefficient. In an urban environment slanted (±45°) and V/H polarisation diversity have been compared to conventional space diversity. Similarly, in a rural environment a comparison has been carried out. The results indicate that the correlation and power in-balance between the polarisation diversity branches are practically insignificant when the total effect of environment and mobile phone users is taken into account. Therefore, polarisation diversity performs at least as well as space diversity in both urban and rural environments. In the urban environment slanted and V/H diversity configurations can be used interchangeably, but the slanted configuration may be preferred due to practical considerations