Analysing the Effect of MIMO Configuration on the Throughput of LTE Networks in Multipath Environments

Abstract

Increasing use of high-bandwidth applications (such as streaming video) drives a continued desire for higher throughput and better coverage from wireless networks. This has rapidly increased the demand for mobile broadband traffic and driven the need for even more capacity from these systems. The key to solving this problem lies in increasing the network capacity. Increasing the capacity of networks creates new bandwidth delivery challenges for network operators. Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology is a viable alternative used by wireless broadband services in order to meet the striving requirements for throughput and system robustness in a network. Long Term Evolution (LTE) Networks incorporate this technology in their networks, which allows it to achieve higher system throughput, cell coverage, as well as downlink peak rate. In this research, LTE network using the various MIMO configurations was studied using empirical formulas and computer simulations. Surfline, Ghana an LTE provider was used as case study. Results from the research showed that User Equipment speed and target modulation schemes have significant effect on the performance of MIMO. The choice of bandwidth, however, has little effect. Further, throughput increases with the number of transmitters and receiver antennas. The research also shows that BER enhances the reliability of the MIMO system but has no effect on its throughput. � 2019 IEEE.