Prime valued space-time convolutional Z/sub w/ code achieving full 2-level diversity

The framework of space-time (ST) convolutional codes is extended by investigating the performance of w-ary phase shift keying (PSK) modulation combined with ST convolutional codes based on a GF(w) where w is a prime number. The coefficients applied in the construction of ST convolutional codes shown in existing studies were not obtained from a full search range. Code search algorithms based on the determinant criterion and the Euclidean criterion are applied resulting in ST convolutional Z/sub w/ codes. The ST convolutional code combined with prime valued w-ary PSK modulation can provide some additional options for wireless system design engineers with respect to the spectral efficiency and performance.