Dual Hop MIMO Relaying with Orthogonal Space-Time Block Codes

This paper considers orthogonal space-time block coded (OSTBC) transmission for non-regenerative multiple-input multiple-output dual-hop channels. We focus on scenarios where the relay does not have access to instantaneous channel state information, and as such operates according to a non-coherent amplify-and-forward protocol based on a long-term power constraint. We investigate the performance of the proposed OSTBC approach by employing tools from finite-dimensional random matrix theory. In particular, we derive exact closed. form expressions for the moment generating function, high order cumulants, and first and second moments of the signal-to-noise ratio at the destination. Based on these results, we also derive analytical expressions for the symbol error rate with M-ary phase-shift keying, and the amount of fading.