Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) techniques are regarded as the crucial enhancement of todays wireless access technologies to allow for a significant increase in spectral efficiency. After intensive research on single link performance, the third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) integrated a spatial multiplexing scheme as MIMO extension of High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA). Despite the scientific findings on the link-level performance of MIMO techniques, many questions relevant

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... for the design and optimization of cellular networks remain unanswered. In particular, it has to be identified whether, and to which amount, the predicted MIMO link-level performance gains can be achieved in an entire network. In this paper, we present a computationally efficient link-to-system level model for system-level evaluations of MIMO HSDPA and an exemplary embedding in a MATLAB-based system-level simulator. The introduced equivalent fading parameter structure allows for a semianalytic physical-layer abstraction with high prediction accuracy and simultaneous moderate complexity.