A comparison of orthogonal and quasi-orthogonal space-time block codes for fast fading channels

Abstract

This letter compares orthogonal space time codes and quasi-orthogonal codes when the wireless channels are fast fading. It is well known that a orthogonal space-time code is better than a quasi-orthogonal code in high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) range and that a quasi-orthogonal code is better in low SNR range. In this letter, we show that a quasi-orthogonal space-time code is a better choice even in high SNR range when the channels are fast fading.