A Simplified MIMO Channel Characteristics Evaluation Scheme Based on Ray Tracing and Its Application to Indoor Radio Systems

In this letter, we propose a method of propagation characteristics analysis that enables simplified assessment of the transmission characteristics of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) communication in indoor environments and assess its accuracy. In the proposed method, ray-tracing analysis is combined with a statistical method based on antenna array principles. Ray-tracing analysis is a rigorous method, but it is highly demanding in terms of computing time. Accordingly, in our method, ray tracing is only implemented between a pair of transmitting and receiving antenna points that are used as reference, after which statistical analysis is applied to estimate the properties of the surrounding areas. The results of an environment analysis of an empty room containing no objects produced via our method were compared to a room analyzed by ray tracing alone, from which we found our simplified method to be highly accurate within a range of several wavelengths from the receiving reference points.