Minimum mean squared error approach to interference cancellation and maximum likelihood decoding of space-time block codes

#This invention relates to wireless communication and, more particularly, to techniques for effective wireless communication in the presence of fading, co-channel interference, and other degradations.

#Rapid growth in mobile computing and other wireless data services is inspiring many proposals for high speed data services in the range of 64-144 kbps for micro cellular wide area and high mobility applications and up to 2 Mbps for indoor applications. Research challenges include the development of efficient coding and modulation, and signal processing techniques to improve the quality and spectral efficiency of wireless communications and better techniques for sharing the limited spectrum among different high capacity users.

#The physical limitation of the wireless channel presents a fundamental technical challenge for reliable communications. The channel is susceptible to time-varying noise, interference, and multipaths. Power and size limitations of the communications and computing device in a mobile handset constitute another major design consideration. Most personal communications and wireless services portables are meant to be carried in a briefcase and/or pocket and must, therefore, be small and lightweight. This translates to a low power requirement since small batteries must be used. However, many of the signal processing techniques which may be used for reliable communications and efficient spectral utilization demand significant processing power, precluding the use of low power devices. Continuing advances in VLSI and integrated circuit technology for low power applications will provide a partial solution to this problem. Still, placing most of the signal processing burden on fixed locations (base stations) with relatively larger power resources than the mobile units will, likely, continue to be the trend in wireless systems design.

#FIG. 1 depicts an arrangement that, illustratively, includes a receiving base station (20) and two transmitting terminal units (10 and 30).

#FIG. 1 illustrates two transmitting units and one receiving unit that comport with the principles disclosed herein. However, this is merely illustrative, and the disclosed method is useful for more than two terminals (K>2).

#Single Transmitting Unit

#Transmitting unit 10 may correspond to the transmitting circuitry in a terminal unit, while receiving unit 20 may correspond to the receiving circuitry in a base station. Terminal unit 30 is shown identical to terminal unit 10. It should be understood, of course, that each terminal unit has a receiving circuit, and the base station has a transmitting circuit. The terminal units are shown to have two antennas each. Receiving unit 20 is also shown to have two receiving antennas. Here, too, it should be kept in mind that, generally, any number, M≧2, of receiving antennas can be had. Particular advantage is realized when M≧K. Since the mathematical treatment below is couched in general matrix notations, the expressions are valid for any number K and/or M.