Optimal Planar Array Architecture for Full-Dimensional Multi-user Multiple-Input Multiple-Output with Elevation Modeling

Research interest in three-dimensional multiple-input multiple-output (3D-MIMO) beamforming has rapidly increased on account of its potential to support high data rates through an array of strategies, including sector or user-specific elevation beamforming and cell-splitting. To evaluate the full performance benefits of 3D and fulldimensional (FD) MIMO beamforming, the 3D character of the real MIMO channel must be modeled with consideration of both the azimuth and elevation domain. Most existing works on the 2D spatial channel model (2D-SCM) assume a wide range for the distribution of elevation angles of departure (eAoDs), which is not practical according to field measurements. In this paper, an optimal FD-MIMO planar array configuration is presented for different practical channel conditions by restricting the eAoDs to a finite range. Using a dynamic network level simulator that employs a complete 3D SCM, we analyze the relationship between the angular spread and sum throughput. In addition, we present an analysis on the optimal antenna configurations for the channels under consideration.