Capacity and error probability analysis for space-time block codes over fading channels

The capacity and error probability of space-time block codes (STBC) are considered for PAM/PSK/QAM modulation in fading channels. The approach is based on an equivalent scalar AWGN (additive white Gaussian noise) channel with a channel gain proportional to the Frobenius norm of the matrix channel for the STBC. Using this effective channel, capacity and probability of error expressions are derived for PSK/PAM/QAM modulation with STBC. Rayleigh, Ricean and Nakagami fading channels are considered.