Degree of Freedom Analysis for Holographic MIMO Based on a Mutual-Coupling-Compliant Channel Model

Degree of freedom(DOF)is a key indicator for spatial multiplexing layers of a wireless channel.Traditionally,the channel of a multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO)half-wavelength dipole array has a DOF that equals the antenna number.However,recent studies suggest that the DOF could be less than the antenna number when strong mutual coupling is considered.We utilize a mutual-coupling-compliant channel model to investigate the DOF of the holographic MIMO(HMIMO)channel and give a upper bound of the DOF with strong mutual coupling.Our numerical simulations demonstrate that a dense array can support more DOF per unit aperture as compared with a half-wavelength MIMO system.