On the performance of non-binary LDPC with MIMO in practical systems

This paper aims at assessing the performance of non-binary LDPC codes with MIMO techniques in practical systems (e.g. MIMO 2×2 systems). More specifically, we compare two approaches at the receiver side, a first linear approach (using linear equalizer) and a second less common approach making “soft” use of the maximum likelihood (ML) criterion. Moreover, this paper also tries to assess the suitability of non-binary LDPC for combination with MIMO techniques, as compared to competing binary FEC schemes such as Duo Binary Turbo Codes. This is done by quantifying the gain achieved by non binary LDPC with either Alamouti or Spatial multiplexing techniques, in comparison to DBTC, and with reference to the single antenna context.