Reference Signal based Beamforming vis-à-vis Null Steering based Beamforming on the basis of a Rectangular Antenna Array

Authors

  • Robert Macharia
  • Kibet Langat
  • P. K. Kihato

Keywords:

smart antenna, rectangular antenna array, beamforming, reference signal, beam/null steering

Abstract

Smart antennas optimize radiation/ reception patterns (beamforming) in accordance to particular approaches. The common approaches utilized include beam-steering, null-steering, reference signal based approaches and statistical blind approaches. Null and beam steering criterions are viable in situations in which desired maximal and minimal radiation directions are known. Reference signal criterions are viable in situations in which a signal known at both ends of a wireless link is present. Some situations involve the presence of all requisite information as far as null-steering and reference signal based beamforming approaches are concerned. This paper takes a look into such a scenario, comparing the viability of either of the two approaches. A rectangular antenna array is utilized in reception mode. Situations featuring a single desired reception direction and four interferer directions are considered. Reception beamforming is done on the basis of the null-steering and reference signal based approaches separately. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is utilized in solving the two beamforming
approaches. The resultant reception patterns and the correlation values between the beamformed signal and the expected signal are
used as performance measures. The reference signal based beamforming approach is found better than the null steering based approach on the basis of the utilized performance measures. 

Author Biographies

Robert Macharia

Department of Telecommunication Engineering, JKUAT.

Kibet Langat

Department of Telecommunication Engineering, JKUAT.

P. K. Kihato

Department of Electrical Engineering, JKUAT

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Published

04-04-2022