V-BLAST without optimal ordering: analytical performance evaluation for Rayleigh fading channels

The Bell Labs layered space-time (BLAST) algorithm is simple, and hence, a popular choice for a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) receiver. Its bit-error rate (BER) performance has been studied mainly using numerical (Monte Carlo) techniques, since exact analytical evaluation presents serious difficulties. Close examination of the problem of BLAST BER performance analysis reveals that the major difficulty for analytical evaluation is due to the optimal ordering procedure. Hence, we analyze the algorithm performance without optimal ordering. While this is a disadvantage of the analysis, there are certain advantages as well. Exact closed-form analytical evaluation is possible for arbitrary number of transmit and receive antennas in an independent, identically distributed Rayleigh fading channel, which provides deep insight and understanding that cannot be gained using the Monte Carlo approach alone. A result on the maximum ratio combining weights, which is used at each detection step, is derived to obtain a number of results: independence of noise, distribution of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and block- or bit-error rates. We present a detailed analysis and expressions for uncoded error rates at each detection step, which hold true for any modulation format and take simple closed form in some cases. Asymptotic form of these expressions for large SNRs is particularly simple. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations validate the analytical results and conclusions