Performance of two-branch polarization antenna diversity in an operational GSM network

Measurements conducted in an operational GSM network have been used to evaluate the performance of two-branch polarization diversity in terms of Branch Power Ratio and cross power envelope Correlation Coefficient. In an urban environment slanted (±45°) and V/H polarization diversity have been compared to conventional space diversity. Similarly, in a rural environment slanted has been compared to space. The results indicate that the correlation and power in-balance between polarization diversity branches are practically insignificant when the total effect of environment and mobile phone users is taken into account. Therefore, polarization diversity performs at least as well as space diversity in both urban and rural environments. In the urban environment slanted and V/H diversity configurations can be used interchangeably, but the slanted configuration may be preferred due to practical considerations.