Parameterised codebook design based on channel statistics for efficient multi‐rank MIMO transmission

As the number of antenna elements increases in multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) systems, an efficient feedback and beamforming strategy becomes more important to achieve the desired bandwidth efficiency required by the next‐generation wireless systems. The authors investigate the statistical characteristics of the MIMO channel generated by the three‐dimensional spatial channel model to recognise some of the limitations inherent in the existing codebooks adopted by the current third generation partnership project specifications. Such limitations include unnecessary co‐phasing combinations for cross‐polarised (X‐pol) antenna arrays and, in particular, long‐term codevector selections, which are not best suited to the channel distributions. In this study, the observed shortcomings are improved by proposing a new multi‐rank codebook applicable to the X‐pol array of N T = 8 antenna elements supporting up to the quadruple rank. The proposed beamforming codevectors are presented using variable parameters so that they can be adapted to changing channel characteristics. The efficiency of the proposed codebook is further improved by eliminating redundant co‐phasing values. The performance of the proposed codebook is evaluated using the TR 36.873 urban macro environment and its effectiveness is demonstrated by quantifying its gain over the existing codebooks.