Channel capacity estimation for MIMO systems with correlated noise

In this paper we determine the MIMO channel capacity in the presence of correlated noise. We employ a normalized noise correlation matrix in the channel capacity formula, in order to identify the noise correlation contribution to the MIMO subchannel decorrelation. Then, we analyze the thermal noise correlation due to mutual coupling. We calculate thermal noise correlation matrix in the multi-antenna system with closely spaced antennae by applying the Nyquist's thermal noise theorem. Simulation results shows that mean and outage MIMO channel capacity is underestimated if the noise correlation due to mutual coupling is not accounted for. We present results for cases when the transmitter does and does not know the channel realization.