This paper investigates the influence of channel coding on the
performance of a distributed wireless network in which the nodes
are equipped with multiple antennas. Different coded modulation
techniques and antenna systems are taken into consideration and
compared, assuming an outdoor environment. More precisely, the
proposed study compares the performance of wireless networks
adopting convolutional codes, already adopted in the 802.11a
physical layer standard, with the performance that may be achieved
by adopting more efficient coding techniques. A realistic channel
model including Rayleigh fading and Laplacian power azimuth
spectrum is adopted, and code performance comparison is performed
using both simple Switched-Beam Antenna (SBA) systems and more
complex Fully Adaptive Smart Antennas (FASAs).
