Improving connectivity in indoor millimeter wave wireless networks using diversity reception

The subject of this paper is the introduction of the diversity reception in wireless indoor multi-hop networks in order to improve the network connectivity. We will consider indoor propagation environment with deep fades e.g. 60GHz where the shadowing phenomena are the dominant cause of strong signal impairments even in a few meter connections. This fact can lead to loss of connectivity and network's performance reduction. In order to counterbalance the impact of shadowing on the network connectivity we suggest the use of diversity reception. Selection Combining (SC) and Maximal-ratio combining (MRC) diversity scheme can be used successfully at every receiver node for increasing link availability and network's connectivity. The sensitivity of connectivity on several operational parameters is also rigorously investigated. Finally, some useful numerical results and conclusions are drawn.