Investigations into the Effect of Spatial Correlation on Channel Estimation and Capacity of Multiple Input Multiple Output System

The paper reports on investigations into the effect of spatial correlation on channel estimation and capacity of a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless communication system. Least square (LS), scaled least square (SLS) and minimum mean square error (MMSE) methods are considered for estimating channel properties of a MIMO system using training sequences. The undertaken mathematical analysis reveals that the accuracy of the scaled least square (SLS) and minimum mean square error (MMSE) channel estimation methods are determined by the sum of eigenvalues of the channel correlation matrix. It is shown that for a fixed transmitted power to noise ratio (TPNR) assumed in the training mode, a higher spatial correlation has a positive effect on the performance of SLS and MMSE estimation methods. The effect of accuracy of the estimated Channel State Information (CSI) on MIMO system capacity is illustrated by computer simulations for an uplink case in which only the mobile station (MS) transmitter is surrounded by scattering objects.