Improving the performance of mobile broadcasting systems using multiple base stations and distributed space–time codes

Abstract

Error performance of distributed space–time codes used for mobile broadcasting systems consisting of multiple base stations is analysed. The base stations are assumed to operate in a simulcast mode, that is they simultaneously transmit the same message using the same carrier frequency. Mobile users within the intersection of the coverage areas, thus, enjoy a small probability of shadowing and a high probability of at least one line-of-sight (LOS) link. In effect, the base stations establish a virtual multiple-antenna system. The use of a distributed space-time code offers an additional spatial diversity gain. Considering a single user with a fixed (random) position, the impact of shadowing and LOS components on the error performance of the system is analysed and compared with a conventional multiple-antenna system with co-located transmit antennas. Specifically, the analysis shows that already a single LOS link significantly improves the overall system performance. In the case of shadowing, huge diversity gains are obtained in the distributed system. In a system with co-located transmitters, however, the performance improvements compared with a single-antenna system are rather small, when shadowing is taken into account. Altogether, it can be concluded that systems with distributed transmitters are typically superior to conventional multiple-antenna systems (due to macroscopic diversity), and that distributed space–time codes are superior to conventional simulcasting (due to microscopic diversity).