MIMO techniques in WiMAX and LTE: a feature overview

TLDR

IEEE 802.16m and 3GPP LTE‑Advanced are evolving 4G standards that rely on MIMO technologies, which distinguish 4G from 3G by enhancing point‑to‑point links and enabling downlink multi‑user MIMO, and a wide range of MIMO techniques have been developed for various links and channel state information scenarios. This article surveys the MIMO techniques employed in IEEE 802.16m and LTE‑Advanced. The survey compares the MIMO features of the two standards and illustrates key engineering considerations.

Abstract

IEEE 802.16m and 3GPP LTE-Advanced are the two evolving standards targeting 4G wireless systems. In both standards, multiple-input multiple-output antenna technologies play an essential role in meeting the 4G requirements. The application of MIMO technologies is one of the most crucial distinctions between 3G and 4G. It not only enhances the conventional point-to-point link, but also enables new types of links such as downlink multiuser MIMO. A large family of MIMO techniques has been developed for various links and with various amounts of available channel state information in both IEEE 802.16e/m and 3GPP LTE/LTE-Advanced. In this article we provide a survey of the MIMO techniques in the two standards. The MIMO features of the two are compared, and the engineering considerations are depicted.