The application of hybrid space-polarization block coding

As the demand for high wireless data rates in indoor environments grows, we must find new ways to increase the performance of wireless links in muliti-path fading. One common way to do this is to add diversity in the form of spatial or temporal diversity through the application of space-time block codes (STBCs). The drive for performance coupled with the small size requirements for mobile terminals has renewed interest in polarization diversity as a method for improving links. This paper is an investigation into the performance of traditional cross polarized channels compared to a new hybrid scheme consisting of spatially separated transmit, and cross polarized receive antennas.