MGF Based Approximate SER Calculation of SM MIMO Systems Over Generalized η − μ and κ − μ Fading Channels

Spatial modulation (SM) is a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless communication system that gives better spectral efficiency without costing extra bandwith for the same signal constellation size. In an SM MIMO system with \(N_t\) transmitting antennas, spectral efficiency increases by \(log_2(N_t)\). The superior performance of SM systems over other MIMO systems like Alamouti Space-Time Block Codes and Vertical Bell Laboratories Layered Space-Time is already reported in the literature. In this paper, we analyzed the symbol error rate (SER) performance of an SM system in generalized \(\eta-\mu \) and \(\kappa - \mu \) fading channels for several modulation schemes. A closed form expression for approximate SER is derived using moment generating function (MGF) approach and the results are validated using Monte Carlo simulations. The approximate SER expression obtained in this communication is applicable for any fading channels whose MGF is known. The SER analysis over generalized fading channels can be easily deduced to various classical fading channels like Rayleigh, Rician, Nakagami-m and Nakagami-q fading channels by choosing appropriate values of \(\kappa \), \(\mu \) and \(\eta \).