Source coding diversity and multiplexing strategies for a 2X2 MIMO system

We consider strategies for the lossy transmission of a zero mean Gaussian source over multiple channels. In one strategy, we employ single description coding of the source and duplicate this description over two independent channels. We also consider optimal, no excess joint rate, and no excess marginal rate multiple description coding over two independent channels. These strategies are compared to the traditional approach where a single description is sent over a single channel. The performance measure used for comparison is expected distortion at the receiver, evaluated as a function of the outage probability. We also consider the transmission of a full rate single description over a standard 2times2 MIMO channel using spatial multiplexing and a time-sharing approach to using MD coding over a 2times2 MIMO channel.