The mobile WiMAX system considers the use of (2×2)
multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) schemes for
performance improvement. It is required for mobile
stations to appropriately switch the MIMO mode; space–
time block code (STBC) or vertical spatial multiplexing
(VSM). In this paper we consider a novel switching
scheme for the MIMO mode based on effective signal-tonoise
ratio. Assuming the use of a minimum mean square
error (MMSE) receiver for the VSM and a maximum ratio
combining receiver for the STBC, the threshold for the
mode switching is analytically derived in a closed form.
Simulation results show that the proposed switching
scheme outperforms conventional switching schemes in
terms of the capacity and outage probability
