Space-diversity issues in the context of a B-ISDN-oriented indoor radio environment

A first assessment of the applicability and the tradeoffs involved in a switched (antenna) diversity approach is presented, as seen in the context of a future indoor wireless network operating in the mm-wavelength (20-60 GHz) radio spectrum, targeted to provide radio access to ATM LANs and B-ISDN networks. Measurements conducted at 21.6 GHz are used to examine, in terms of cumulative distribution functions, the gain variation of switched-diversity alternatives. The performance of a 2-branch post-detection code diversity combining scheme under Rayleigh fading conditions is also included for purposes of comparison. The results of our work confirm the hypothesis that the choice of the employed antenna diversity technique in combination with the selected micro-cellular architecture have significant effects on both the throughput and the measured performance of future radio links