STUDY AND ANALYSIS OF A NOVEL SMART ANTENNA IN WIRELESS LAN COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Abstract

The adoption of smart antenna techniques in future wireless systems is expected to have a significant impact on the efficient use of the spectrum, the minimization of the cost of establishing new wireless networks, the optimization of service quality, and realization of transparent operation across multi technology wireless networks. A novel smart antenna is described, which is conceived as a low complexity inexpensive upgrade for IEEE 802.11b/g Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) systems. Using smart antennas to increase network throughput by improved spatial reuse is not normally possible for systems using the 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC), unless centralized channel access control is enforced. However, it is shown through simulation that the proposed antenna can have sufficient beam and null steering capabilities to allow two 802.11g transmissions to co-exist in close proximity. This is achieved with the standard distributed channel access algorithms and therefore has potential to increase system capacity. Accuracy in simulation is ensured through a combination of MAC functionality modeling using OPNET and 3- dimensional (3D) propagation modeling using ray tracing.