Efficient Algorithm for Detecting Layered Space-Time Codes

Layered space-time codes have been designed to exploit the capacity advantage of multiple antenna systems in Rayleigh fading environments. In this paper, we present a new efficient detection algorithm based on a sorted QR decomposition. It only needs a fraction of computational effort compared to the standard detection algorithm requiring multiple calculations of the pseudo inverse of the channel matrix. The derived algorithm is not restricted to layered space-time architectures, but can generally be used for detection in vector channel systems. Keywords— Layered space-time codes, diversity, MIMO system, wireless communication.