Channel Coding and Multi-Antenna Techniques for Distributed Wireless Networks

This paper investigates the influence of channel coding on the performance of a distributed wireless network in which the nodes are equipped with multiple antennas. Different coded modulation techniques and antenna systems are taken into consideration and compared, assuming an outdoor environment. More precisely, the proposed study compares the performance of wireless networks adopting convolutional codes, already adopted in the 802.11a physical layer standard, with the performance that may be achieved by adopting more efficient coding techniques. A realistic channel model including Rayleigh fading and Laplacian power azimuth spectrum is adopted, and code performance comparison is performed using both simple switched-beam antenna (SBA) systems and more complex fully adaptive smart antennas (FASAs).