Cluster Parameters for Time-Variant MIMO Channel Models

The next challenge for MIMO radio channel models is to simulate the time-variant nature of the channel correctly. Cluster-based MIMO channel models are well suited for this problem, however they currently lack an accurate parameterization of the time-variant cluster parameters. In this paper we identify and track clusters from three different measurements conducted in an indoor, a sub-urban, and a rural environment. The time-variant cluster parameters of interest are: (i) cluster movement, (ii) change of cluster spreads, (iii) cluster lifetimes, and birth and death rates of cluster. We find that clusters show significant movement in parameter space depending on the environment. The spreads of individual clusters change rather randomly over their lifetime, with a standard deviation up to 150% of their mean spread. The cluster lifetime is approximately exponentially distributed, however additionally one has to account for long-living clusters coming from the line-of-sight path or from major reflectors.