Work

Super Wideband MIMO Systems: Channel Modeling and Performance Analysis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This paper develops a physically-consistent framework for modeling and analyzing super wideband (SW) multipleinput-multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems that experience strong mutual coupling (MC). Starting from circuit theory, we derive a generalized MIMO model incorporating MC and physical noise sources, allowing a direct mapping to standard communication models. We develop a correlated Rician channel model with frequency-dependent spatial correlation, frequency correlation, and Rician K-factor, specifically tailored for SW systems. The performance of single and multiuser SW systems are analyzed using the developed channel model. Specifically, beamforming performance is evaluated under various receiver architectures, highlighting the impact of distorted steering vectors in beamforming due to high MC. Our studies show that strong MC inherently reduces the effective spatial correlations in SW MIMO arrays. Further, we explore uplink multiuser systems through both orthogonal scheduling and linear combining techniques. Numerical results show that tightly coupled arrays provide substantial signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gains, particularly in endfire directions.

Source: IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society

DOI: 10.1109/ojcoms.2026.3729196

Authors: Sachitha C. Bandara, Erfan Khordad, Peter J. Smith, Robin J. Evans, Rajitha Senanayake

Institutions: The University of Melbourne, Victoria University of Wellington

Language: English

Topic: Antenna Design and Analysis

Subfield: Aerospace Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,075

OpenAlex ID: W4414381707

FWCI:

Cites:

Cited by:

Related to: