Smart antennas for OFDM-WLANs based on a spatial-temporal multi-scenario channel model

combination of smart antenna techniques and OFDM could be considered as a promising solution for improving the performance and enhancing the data rates of next generation wireless communication systems operating in frequency selective fading environments. There are different design parameters which could affect the application of adaptive arrays in OFDM-based systems. Various beam-forming methods in frequency or time domain, different array architectures and various number of array elements are important factors which are able to change the performance and complexity of the system. These parameters may show different effects in different channel conditions. In this paper we implemented a new wideband spatio-temporal channel model for IEEE 802.11a WLAN with a variety of possible channel scenarios and array architectures. For each scenario, we have investigated different smart antennas configurations and implementation methods in order to find the optimum adaptive array for each scenario. © 2008 ACECR.