It is known that mutual coupling introduces limitations on element efficiency and reduces the signal diversity in multi-antenna communication systems. More recently, it has been shown that mutual coupling also increases receiver noise [1]. In this paper, we study the noise penalty caused by mutual coupling for a phased array beamformer using the beam equivalent receiver noise temperature and noise matching efficiency developed in [2]. We also define an available receiver noise temperature correlation matrix, which provides an intrinsic or beam independent way to characterize the goodness of an amplifier noise matching condition for array applications which do not involve beamforming, such as MIMO communications.     «

It is known that mutual coupling introduces limitations on element efficiency and reduces the signal diversity in multi-antenna communication systems. More recently, it has been shown that mutual coupling also increases receiver noise [1]. In this paper, we study the noise penalty caused by mutual coupling for a phased array beamformer using the beam equivalent receiver noise temperature and noise matching efficiency developed in [2]. We also define an available receiver noise temperature correl...     »