What Is the PDF of a Circularly Symmetric Complex Gaussian Vector?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the probability distribution function (PDF) of a circularly symmetric complex Gaussian vector, exploring both complex and real representations. Participants delve into the definitions and implications of "circularly symmetric" in higher dimensions, as well as the characteristics of multivariate Gaussian distributions in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the meaning of "circularly symmetric" in n dimensions, suggesting it may relate to "spherically symmetric" surfaces where the PDF is constant.
  • There is a discussion about whether the magnitude |z| has a Gaussian distribution.
  • One participant states that a complex random vector is Gaussian if its real and imaginary parts form a Gaussian vector in R^{2n}.
  • Another participant expresses confusion about the original question, interpreting it as asking for the PDF of a multivariate Gaussian distribution.
  • A participant provides a formula for the PDF of a complex Gaussian vector and discusses a discrepancy found in literature regarding the determinant in the PDF expression.
  • There is a query about the PDF of a circularly symmetric complex Gaussian matrix, extending the discussion from vectors to matrices.
  • Some participants assert that matrices can be viewed as vectors, prompting questions about the properties of circularly symmetric matrices compared to circularly symmetric vectors.
  • A participant presents a specific formula related to a circularly symmetric matrix and seeks clarification on its derivation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying interpretations of "circularly symmetric" and its implications for the distribution, indicating that multiple competing views remain. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the definitions or the implications of the properties discussed.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the definitions of circular symmetry and the nature of the distributions are not fully resolved, and there are unresolved mathematical steps regarding the derivation of the PDF for both vectors and matrices.

EngWiPy
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Hi,

Suppose that an n-dimensional vector \mathbf{z}=\begin{pmatrix}z_1&z_2&\cdots & z_n\end{pmatrix}^T is characterized as a zero-mean circularly symmetric complex Gaussian random vector. What is the distribution (the probability distribution function PDF) of this vector in both: complex and real representations?

Thanks in advance
 
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What is the meaning of "circularly symmetric" in n dimensions ? Do you mean "spherically symmetric" in the sense that |z_1|^2 + |z_2|^2 + ...|z_n|^2 = c is a surface where the PDF is constant? And can we also assume that |RE(z_1)|^2 + |IM( z_1)|^2 + |RE(z_2)|^ + |IM( z_2)|^2 + ... |RE( z_n)|^2 + |IM (z_n)|^2 = c is a surface where the PDF is constant?

Is |z| the quantity that has a gaussian distribution?
 
Stephen Tashi said:
What is the meaning of "circularly symmetric" in n dimensions ? Do you mean "spherically symmetric" in the sense that |z_1|^2 + |z_2|^2 + ...|z_n|^2 = c is a surface where the PDF is constant? And can we also assume that |RE(z_1)|^2 + |IM( z_1)|^2 + |RE(z_2)|^ + |IM( z_2)|^2 + ... |RE( z_n)|^2 + |IM (z_n)|^2 = c is a surface where the PDF is constant?

Is |z| the quantity that has a gaussian distribution?

A complex random vector \mathbf{x}\in C^n is said to be Gaussian, if the real vector \mathbf{\hat{x}}\in R^{2n} consisting of the real and imaginary parts of \mathbf{x} as \mathbf{\hat{x}}=\begin{pmatrix}\text{Re}\{\mathbf{x}\}&\text{Im}\{\mathbf{x}\}\end{pmatrix}^T is Gaussian.

A complex Gaussian random vector \mathbf{x} is said to be circularly symmetric if the covariance of the corresponding \mathbf{\hat{x}} has the following structure:

E(\left(\mathbf{\hat{x}-\mu}\right)\left(\mathbf{\hat{x}-\mu}\right)^H)=\frac{1}{2}\begin{pmatrix}\text{Re}(Q)&-\text{Im}(Q)\\\text{Im}(Q)&\text{Re}(Q)\end{pmatrix}

where E(\mathbf{\hat{x}})=\mu and Q is some non negative matrix.
 
If I take a Gaussian distribution of the components of a vector to mean a multivariate Gaussian distribution and take the covariance matrix as given, is the question "What is the PDF of a multivariate Gaussian distribution?". I guess I still don't understand the question.
 
Stephen Tashi said:
If I take a Gaussian distribution of the components of a vector to mean a multivariate Gaussian distribution and take the covariance matrix as given, is the question "What is the PDF of a multivariate Gaussian distribution?". I guess I still don't understand the question.

That is right, but for complex Gaussian. Actually, I got the result, which is:

f_{\mathbf{z}}(\mathbf{z})=\frac{1}{\pi^n\text{det}(\mathbf{R}_z)}\text{exp}\left(-(\mathbf{z}-\overline{\mathbf{z}})^H\mathbf{R}_z^{-1}(\mathbf{z}-\overline{\mathbf{z}})\right)

Now the problem with me was that, I read in some paper that the distribution is given by:

f_{\mathbf{z}}(\mathbf{z})=\frac{1}{\text{det}(\pi\mathbf{R}_z)}\text{exp}\left(-(\mathbf{z}-\overline{\mathbf{z}})^H\mathbf{R}_z^{-1}(\mathbf{z}-\overline{\mathbf{z}})\right)

But knowing that:

\text{det}(cA)=c^n\text{det}(A)

solved the confusion.

Thanks
 
Last edited:
Ok, now what if Z is a circularly symmetric complex Gaussian matrix not vector, what then the PDF of Z?
 
Any suggestion?
 
From the appropriate point of view, matrices are vectors. What property would an nxn "circularly symmetric" matrix have that an n^2 dimensional circularly symmetric vector wouldn't?
 
Stephen Tashi said:
From the appropriate point of view, matrices are vectors. What property would an nxn "circularly symmetric" matrix have that an n^2 dimensional circularly symmetric vector wouldn't?

So, you are saying it is just like the vector case. But I have a formula in matrix form, and I am not sure how the authors got there. I mean it is like the following:

\frac{1}{\pi^{2NK}\text{det}^KQ}\text{exp}\left\{-\|Q^{-1/2}(Y-HX)\|_F^2\right\}

where Y is 2N-by-K matrix, Q is 2N-by-2N, H is 2N-by-M, and X is M-by-K. Any hint in this?
 

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