Receiver Algorithms for Multi-stream Data Transmission in WLAN 802.11n Networks

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) systems employ multiple antennas to provide high spectral efficiency and wireless link reliability thanks to multipath diversity and space multiplexing. This technology is now being implemented into wireless standards such as 802.11n, as well as the 4th generation cellular networks. In this paper we present results of an extensive simulation research in which we compare three receiver models for MIMO WLAN 802.11n system. We investigate maximum-likelihood, zero-forcing and Vertical Bell Laboratories Layered Space Time receivers. Performance of these receivers for a range of 802.11n environments, i.e. for several channel models and different number of transmitter and receiver antennas is evaluated. The results of the comparison highlight the benefits of MIMO technology and show to what extent it is possible to improve the MIMO 802.11n system performance increasing the receiver complexity.