Distributed versus centralized multiuser detection with antenna arrays in frequency-selective multipath channels

We have analyzed and compared two different multiuser detection receiver structures that are appropriate for code-division multiple access (CDMA) systems with multiple antennas in frequency-selective multipath channels. Distributed decorrelation detection (where signal decorrelation is performed at each receiving antenna) and centralized decorrelation detection (where decorrelation is performed once collectively) are compared. We show that they provide the same performance in additive Gaussian channels. Centralized decorrelation detection provides better performance in general frequency-selective multipath fading channels. Therefore, the hardware cost, complexity, and processing at the receiver can be optimized using centralized decorrelation detection. We employ decorrelation detection to demonstrate our results, although the work can be easily extended to other linear multiuser detection configurations.