Analysis of statistical uncertainties involved in estimating ergodic MIMO capacity and diversity gain in Rayleigh fading environment

Statistical uncertainties involved in the evaluation of ergodic MIMO capacity and diversity gain in a fading environment is investigated. The study is based on results from a numerical simulation tool called “Rayleigh-Lab.” This tool can be used for accuracy investigation of MIMO capacity and diversity gain, and to determine the number of independent samples needed to estimate them with a reasonable level of confidence. The MIMO capacity is evaluated using Shannon's channel capacity formula. Two different methods of evaluating diversity gains are compared: based on CDF curves, and based on estimating correlation and radiation efficiency and then using them in a newly available compact formula for calculating the diversity gain. Rayleigh-Lab emulates Rayleigh channels by generating sequences of random complex numbers and it provides a convenient graphical user-interface for a pedagogical study of average power level (proportional to antenna efficiency), correlation, diversity gain and maximum available capacity.