Unifying performance analysis of linear MIMO receivers in correlated Rayleigh fading environments

We present a novel approach for analyzing the SER of linear MIMO zero-forcing and minimum mean squared error receivers in correlated Rayleigh fading environments with fading correlation at the transmitting and, for the first time, receiving antenna array. Specifically, we make use of certain complex Gaussian integrals for calculating the moment generating function of the subchannel SNR statistics. Using a well-known integral representation of the Gaussian Q function, it is then shown that the SER can be expressed in terms of a single integral. The novel approach is exact, non-asymptotic in the number of antenna elements, and unifies and complements existing partial solutions, thereby comprising the practically important case of multiuser smart antenna applications with optimum combining algorithm at the base station. Moreover, we present concise asymptotical expressions for the high SNR regime that allow for a simple assessment of the influence of fading correlation on the SER performance.