MIMO Channel Modelling and the Principle of Maximum Entropy, Part I: Model Construction

In this part , we devise theoretical grounds for constructing channel models for Multi-input Multioutput (MIMO) systems based on information theoretic tools. This paper provides a general method to derive a channel model which is consistent with one's state of knowledge. The framework we give here has already been fruitfully explored with success [1], [2] in the context of Bayesian spectrum analysis and parameter estimation. For each channel model, we conduct an asymptotic analysis (in the number of antennas) of the achievable transmission rate using tools from random matrix theory [3]. A central limit theorem is provided on the asymptotic behavior of the mutual information and validated in the finite case by simulations. The results are both useful in terms of designing a system based on criteria such as quality of service and in optimizing transmissions in multiuser networks. In part II of the sequel, the various constructed models are validated by measurements performed in Oslo at 2.1 GHz and 5.2 GHz