Investigations into the feasibility of multiple input multiple output techniques within the HF band: Preliminary results

The concept of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) has become a productive area of research in the field of wireless communications with the aim of delivering increased data throughput. However, to date, MIMO research has focused primarily on short-range communications within the VHF, UHF, and SHF bands, and very little research has been conducted toward exploiting MIMO techniques for long-range communications within the HF band. Between September 2007 and September 2008, several experimental campaigns were conducted to investigate the feasibility of applying MIMO techniques within the HF band. The results of measurements over a 255 km path from Durham to Leicester within the United Kingdom are presented in this paper with particular emphasis on the use of heterogeneous antenna arrays at the transmitter and receiver.