Maximizing Wireless LAN Range by Exploiting Two Types of Antenna Diversity

Contained herein is a simple explanation of how antenna diversity maximizes the range of a Wireless LAN. Furthermore, Oberon’s technique for simultaneously exploiting spatial and polarization antenna diversity to minimize antenna signal fading correlation is explained. Finally, simulation results for Evaluate and Switch diversity combining is given over various levels of channel fading correlation. The simulation shows that two-branch Evaluate and Switch combining leads to ~11 dB of diversity gain and improves the coverage area by 260% over a single antenna in uncorrelated Rayleigh fading channels. More measurements and simulations are required to realistically quantify the spatial and polarization diversity gain achievable in a typical in-building radio environment.