Diversity performance of quantized unitary precoders

Knowledge of the propagation channel makes it possible for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) links to achieve higher system capacities by means of beamforming on the stronger channel eigenvectors. Assigning dedicated low bit rate feedback links is an efficient and practical method of providing transmitters with the required channel state information. One of the key problems in limited feedback precoding is the design of finite indexed codebooks known a priori to both the transmitter and receiver.Previous design methods include signal-to-noise ratio maximization through Grassmannian line packing, distortion minimization via vector quantization and antenna selection algorithms. In this paper we propose a new method that utilizes the dominant right singular vector of the MIMO channel to construct quantized unitary precoders. We show that although sub-optimum, this method can produce full diversity order codebooks. Using Monte-Carlo simulations, we compare the performance of the this method with optimum Grassmannian precoders and also antenna selection and subset selection algorithms.