Construction and Analysis of Quaternion MIMO-OFDM Communications Systems

Abstract

Wireless communications systems with progressively higher spectral efficiency have been investigated in past decades. A promising area of research is the use of hypercomplex algebras, notably, the use of the quaternion algebra. This paper considers the construction of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) using the algebra of quaternions. Several construction techniques for quaternion orthogonal code designs have been proposed in recent years, which offer the possibility to explore diversities in variate domains, such as space, time, frequency, and polarization, in addition to combinations thereof. This paper presents a formulation for quaternion MIMO-OFDM in matrix form as an extension of the classical formulation that uses complex variables. Quaternions allow elegant representation of pairs of radiant elements in physical antennas configured for cross-polarized propagation. Several simulations validate the proposed method in diverse scenarios for wireless communications, in which combined diversities have been exploited.