Transmit-receive diversity for 2 x 2 multiple-input multiple-output channel in body area networks

Body-centric communication is an important part of 4G personal communication systems. The principal goal of this study is to investigate the effect of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)-diversity for on-body communication channels. The MIMO-diversity gain (DG) is calculated by plotting the cumulative distribution functions. The DG values for 2 x 2 MIMO system are calculated, which are equivalent to the DGs achievable by an equivalent diversity system of order 4. The power imbalance and the correlation among the subchannels is also presented and a comparison of 2 x 2, 2 x 1 and 1 x 2 systems is done on the basis of diversity performance.