The largest eigenvalue characteristic of correlated complex Wishart matrices and its application to MIMO MRC systems

In this paper, we analyze statistical properties of the largest eigenvalue of correlated complex Wishart matrices. The results provide an analytical tool for the study of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) maximal ratio combining (MRC) systems in the presence of spatial fading correlation at the transmitter or receiver. Based on them, the exact closed-form expressions for the cumulative distribution function and the probability density function of the output signal-to-noise ratio are presented. The analytical results are validated by Monte Carlo simulations.