Low Complexity Antenna Selection for Spatial Multiplexing Systems with VBLAST Detection

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems have the advantage of spectral efficiency in comparison with single-input single-output (SISO) systems. Through this advantage, data throughput can be significantly increased. The VBLAST (vertical Bell Laboratories layered space-time) scheme was proposed as one possible transceiver structure in terms of performance and complexity. Recently a technique called antenna selection has been introduced as a practical solution to the cost and the complexity problem. In this paper we develop an optimal selection criterion for MIMO systems with VBLAST detection. A suboptimal selection criterion will then be proposed to reduce the complexity without significant performance degradation compared to the optimal criterion. As a performance metric, we used the vector symbol error rate (VSER). Simulations that validate our proposed algorithm are also provided.