Space-time codes for high data rate wireless communication: mismatch analysis

We revisit space-time codes for a mobile communication system that employs multiple antennas at the base station and optional antenna diversity at the mobile station. The realistic case when the channel state is not completely known is considered. It is assumed that the channel estimator extracts the fade coefficients using orthogonal pilot tones. Mismatch analysis is then carried out. It is proved that in the absence of ideal channel state information the design criteria for space-time codes developed in Tarokh et al. (1997) is still valid for the equal energy constellation case. Using our derivation, it is observed that channel estimation techniques commonly used over rapidly fading channels can be used in conjunction with space-time codes provided that the number of transmit antennas is small.