An Efficient Method to Estimate the Embedded Element Efficiency: A Key Parameter in Large-Scale Array Communications

The embedded element efficiency (EEE), which quantifies mutual coupling in antenna arrays, critically limits the signal-to-noise ratio in large-scale array communications. However, calculating the EEE for finite arrays remains challenging. Existing methods are either computationally expensive or fail to account for edge effects in finite arrays. In this letter, an efficient method to estimate the EEE for finite arrays is proposed. We first derive the impedance matrix of an array from the pattern overlap matrix, then compute the generalized scattering parameters for a given source network. Consequently, the EEE of each element can be determined. Compared with traditional approaches, this method captures the EEE variations across different elements while maintaining high computational efficiency, and is applicable to arrays with arbitrary geometries. Channel capacity is evaluated to illustrate the impact of EEE on multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems.