New bounds of pairwise error probability for space-time codes in Rayleigh fading channels

In this paper we present new upper and lower bounds of the pairwise error probabilities (PEP) for space-time codes over Rayleigh channels with independent fading. We first derive a new expression of the PEP using an alternative form of the Gaussian tail function, based on which we then derive new upper and lower bounds. The new bounds are very accurate and suitable for easy estimation and application to the performance analysis based on distance spectrum. According to numerical examples, the new bounds turn out to be much closer to the exact PEP than other existing bounds. In addition, they help to envision the behavior of the space-time codes for the cases or more than one receive antennas.