High data rate indoor wireless communications using antenna arrays

In this paper, we consider the feasibility of indoor wireless communications at very high data rates (up to multi-Gbps). In particular we wish to use one base station to cover the entire floor of an office building, which may have in excess of 60 dB propagation loss relative to 1 meter. This feasibility depends on two factors: received signal power margin and delay spread. Based on results using the propagation-prediction techniques of Valenzuela (1993), supported by experimental results up to 622 Mbps, we conclude that neither multicarriers, equalization, nor antenna arrays with less than 1600 elements at one end of a communication link are economical methods for increasing the data rate substantially above 10 to 20 Mbps for multiple room indoor wireless coverage. However, based on the propagation-prediction techniques of Valenzuela and verified by our experimental measurements using directive antennas (15° beamwidth) at both ends of a link between the center of the Crawford Hill building to an end laboratory, we have shown that high-speed ubiquitous communication is feasible. Using antenna arrays with 50 to 200 elements at both the transmitter acid receiver, we expect to obtain entire floor coverage at data rates in excess of 1 Gbps