Maximum likelihood criterion based space-time linear precoding method for eigenmode SNR increasing

This paper discusses a method for increasing the eigenmode SNR by using a space-time linear precoder designed on a maximum likelihood (ML) basis (henceforth called the space-time linear ML precoder). First, the effect of the length of the precoded signal generated in the ML precoder on the eigenmode SNR is studied. It is shown that the eigenmode SNR can be increased by varying the precoded signal length depending on the condition of the channel. Next, a transceiver configuration for increasing the eigenmode SNR by the space-time linear ML precoder is presented. In the proposed method, error propagation may be generated due to the transceiver configuration and the BER characteristics may be degraded, even if the eigenmode SNR is increased. In this paper, in order to reduce the effect of the error propagation on the BER characteristics, the relationship between the average length of the error propagation and the precoded signal length in the proposed configuration is presented. It is demonstrated that the effect of error propagation can be minimized by limiting the region of search for the precoded signal length. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by numerical simulation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 90(10): 1– 8, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20304