Linear Space-Time Codes with Optimal Diversity-Multiplexing Tradeoff

In an effort to construct space-time codes (STC) that enjoy both optimality with respect to the diversity-multiplexing tradeoff (DMT) and encoding simplicity, we consider linear dispersion codes and establish a necessary and sufficient condition, in terms of the dispersion matrix, such that the resulting STC is DMT-optimal. We also present a simple construction that satisfies this condition, and is therefore DMT-optimal, for arbitrary number of transmit and receive antennas.