Time-Domain Diversity in Ultra-Wideband MIMO Communications

Abstract

The development of ultra-wideband (UWB) communications is impeded by the drastic transmitted power limitations imposed by regulation authorities due to the "polluting" character of these radio emissions with respect to existing services. Technical solutions must be researched in order either to limit the level of spectral pollution by UWB devices or to increase their reception sensitivity. In the present work, we consider pulse-based modulations and investigate time-domain multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) diversity as one such possible solution. The basic principles of time-domain diversity in the extreme (low multipath density) or intermediate (dense multipath) UWB regimes are addressed, which predict the possibility of a MIMO gain equal to the product of the numbers of transmit/receive antenna elements when the channel is not too severe. This analysis is confirmed by simulations using a parametric empirical stochastic double-directional channel model. They confirm the potential interest of MIMO approaches solutions in order to bring a valuable performance gain in UWB communications.