On BER Analysis and Comparison for OSTBC MIMO DF Relaying Networks

In this paper, we show exact bit error rates (BERs) for orthogonal space-time block code (OSTBC) decoded-and-forward (DF) relaying networks over independent and non-identically distributed (INID) Rayleigh fading channels. We consider both non-adaptive DF (non-ADF) and adaptive DF (ADF) schemes for OSTBC relay networks with arbitrary multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) relay antenna configurations. For each scheme, we derive the probability density functions (PDFs) of indirect link and combined links, respectively. Based on the derived PDFs, we express exact BERs and then, their accuracy is verified by the comparison with simulation results. It is confirmed that the transmit diversity gain of the relay node can be obtained when the relay is close to the source and then, the receive diversity gain of the relay node as well as ADF gain over non-ADF can be obtained when the relay is close to the destination.