Capacity and Error Probability Analysis for Orthogonal Space-Time Block Codes over Correlated Rayleigh and Rician Fading Channels

In this paper, the capacity and error probability of orthogonal space-time block codes (STBCs) are presented for PAM/PSK/QAM modulation in correlated flat fading channels. We consider an equivalent scalar AWGN (additive white Gaussian noise) channel with a channel gain proportional to the Frobenius norm of the matrix channel. A unified approach to the error probability analysis for correlated Rayleigh and Rician fading channels is presented. Closed form error probability expressions are derived for Rayleigh fading channels. We also determine the capacity and probability of error for a multiuser direct sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) system employing a STBC over correlated fading channels. key words: space time block coding, correlated fading, DS-CDMA