Exact pairwise error probability of space-time codes

We describe a simple technique for the numerical calculation, within any desired degree of accuracy, of the pairwise error probability (PEP) of space-time codes over fading channels. This method applies also to the calculation of E[Q(/spl radic//spl xi/)] for any nonnegative random variable /spl xi/ whose moment-generating function /spl Phi//sub /spl xi//(s)=E[exp(-s/spl xi/)] is known. Its application to the multiple antenna independent Rayleigh-fading channel and to the Rayleigh block fading channel is discussed, and illustrated by two simple examples.