Simple ML optimal transmission for OSTBC combined with beamforming in Rayleigh and Rician channels

This paper investigates the method of using a transmit antenna array as a function of the level of channel state information available at the transmitter. In particular it discusses the case of combined beamforming and orthogonal space-time block codes. A new practical expression for antenna weights, based on a technique which utilizes maximum likelihood optimal antenna weight, was derived. Using these antenna weights, the sensitivity of the communication link performance to the various parameters involved can be studied. Antenna method weights for Rayleigh and Rician channels were derived in this paper. The method presented in this paper can be further applied in cases involving more complicated channels and offer computation gain with relatively small sacrifice in performance.