Performance evaluation of the VBLAST algorithm in W-CDMA systems

Abstract

We evaluate the performance of the VBLAST (vertical Bell Labs layered space-time) receiver algorithm in multiple-transmitter/multiple-receiver (MTMR) cellular W-CDMA systems. We assume that the VBLAST algorithm is executed on a symbol level (i.e., on the despread received signal), following a conventional bank of matched filters (correlators). Also, we introduce the concept of virtual antennas. Performance of the algorithm in the presence of intra- and inter-cell multiple-access interference (MAI) is evaluated. System capacity is also studied. The observed system is defined based on the UMTS physical layer and corresponding channel models.