BER performance of an MRT‐HQAM system over Rayleigh fading channels with channel estimation errors and feedback delay

Abstract

In this study, the bit error rate (BER) performance of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) hierarchical quadrature amplitude modulation systems employing maximum ratio transmission (MRT-HQAM) is investigated under the effects of imperfect channel state information (ICSI) due to the channel estimation error and feedback delay. Theoretical expressions for the BER performance of the MRT-HQAM systems are derived using the two common ICSI models that exist in the current literature, specifically when studying the MIMO beam-forming systems with ICSI, where the error term due to the ICSI is assumed to contribute to either the noise component or to the signal component. The BER results for the two ICSI models are presented and then compared. In addition, various antenna configurations are studied to illustrate the performance gains achievable with additional antennas, and to identify the ideal antenna configuration for a given number of antennas. Moreover, the hierarchical modulation parameter is varied to determine the varying levels of sensitivity of the hierarchical layers in the presence of ICSI. The theoretical BER expressions provided for both ICSI models are verified by simulation results.