Effects of low noise amplifier non-linearities on blind adaptive beamforming performance in CDMA wireless systems

We report a new approach to analyse the effects of low noise amplifier (LNA) non‐linear distortions in the code division multiple access (CDMA) wireless communication systems using spatio‐temporal analysis and Volterra series theory. For this purpose, the bit error rate (BER) performance of three blind algorithms is studied based on post correlated model of received signal, and a time‐varying multiple vector channel model which is an extended form of the Gaussian wide sense stationary uncorrelated scattering (GWSSUS) channel. By using the Volterra series theory, an analytical expression for amplitude modulation to phase modulation (AM–PM) conversion is determined as a phase statement of LNA compression. In this approach, by combining the analytical expression for AM–PM conversion and CDMA blind beamforming techniques, we evaluate the AM–PM distortion effects on BER performance of a CDMA system originated from multiple non‐linear LNA blocks. Simulation results show that conditions are found to minimize AM–PM conversion introduced by multiple non‐linear blocks in the system leading to low BER. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.