System-Level Performance of Different Array Types for an Indoor mmWave System

The use of millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies for access links promises to provide an incredible user experience given the large bandwidths available. Using a recently-developed mmWave indoor channel model for the lower E-band (71-76 GHz), we investigate the system-level performance of a mmWave system in a small office-type environment. Particular attention is paid to the performance with different antenna array types. The results show that peak data rates in excess of 14 Gbps are possible and "everywhere" data rates of more than 100 Mbps are seen for all indoor locations. Also the results show that it is best to position the antennas in the azimuth dimension at the access point as opposed to elevation, and that there is little performance difference between circular and linear arrays with the same number of antenna elements. Finally the results demonstrate that the mobile can benefit from having arrays of directional patch antennas as long as there are sufficient patch arrays around the mobile to provide omni-like coverage.