On the performance of orthogonal space-time block codes for spatially and temporally correlated wireless channels [mobile radio]

Monte Carlo simulations are used to determine the performance of several orthogonal space-time block codes for wireless channels that exhibit both temporal and spatial correlation. A channel model is employed that specifies the spatial distribution of the channel scatterers and is based upon recent measurements. A significant degradation in the performance of the space-time codes is observed for cases where the scatterers are located in close proximity to the mobile and fractional wavelength antenna spacing is used at the transmitter. The conditions under which the channel transmission paths may be assumed to be independent are quantified in terms of the scattering radius about the mobile and transmit antenna spacing.