BER Analysis for MIMO-OFDM Beamforming with MRC under Channel Prediction and Interpolation Errors

Multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems, in conjunction with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), are extensively used in modern communication systems in order to improve throughput and robustness in multipath fading environments. However, for an optimal operation of these techniques, channel state information (CSI) must be available in both the transmitter and receiver sides. In this paper, an exact closed-form expression for the bit error rate (BER) in MIMO-OFDM systems with transmit beamforming and maximal ratio combining (MRC) reception is obtained, under imperfect channel prediction and interpolation, in multipath Rayleigh fading. This expression is used to evaluate the BER performance of the system for different antenna configurations, prediction and interpolation filters, and channel conditions.