3-D MIMO Parametric Stochastic Channel Model for Urban Macrocell Scenario

For the design, performance evaluation, and optimization of potential 3-D multiple input and multiple output (3-D MIMO) algorithms, an accurate stochastic channel model is indispensable. Simultaneously, it is desirable for the new 3-D MIMO channel model to be a further expansion of already well developed 2-D MIMO channel models to allow easy implementation and facilitate possible $3^{rd}$ generation partnership project standardization. This paper first shows our recent outfield channel measurement campaigns in urban macrocell scenarios with a planar antenna array and a crown-shaped antenna array installed on the base station and the user sides, respectively. A comprehensive methodology from the statistical analysis perspective to characterize the 3-D MIMO channel, particularly, in the elevation domain, is then elaborated upon. The framework of the new approach coincides with mainstream parametric stochastic models. Moreover, it is observed that, by recalculating the statistics of the large scale parameters as well as their cross-correlation matrix to rectify existent non-positive definite problem, adding distance dependent elevation angular spread and introducing a mixture of Von Mises Fisher distributions to describe the interdependence between azimuth and elevation, the accuracy of current standardized 3-D channel models can be improved upon. Finally, numerical results verify the validity of our proposal.