Amplitude and Phase Distortions in MIMO and Diversity Systems

Abstract — In this paper future wireless communication systems are investigated, which employ several antennas on one side of the link (diversity systems) or both sides of the link (multiple input multiple output, MIMO systems). A system model for the OSI physical layer including a transmitter, the propagation channel, and a receiver is presented. The emphasis lies on a realistic modelling of the radio frequency part of the system including coupling among the antenna elements, noise, and accurate models for components of the analog front end. Adverse effects may occur there leading to amplitude and phase distortions. Several systems with different numbers of transmit and receive antennas are compared. By simulations it is investigated how amplitude and phase distortions in the radio frequency front-end of the system affect performance of MIMO and diversity systems. I