Non-coherent MLSE detection for CDMA multiple-antenna systems

Non-coherent detection of DS-CDMA signals which make use of M-DPSK modulation in presence of antenna arrays is considered. Firstly, the optimum non-coherent MLSE detection rule is derived for a K dimension DS-CDMA vectorial channel assuming perfect single-user beamforming. Then, in order to exploit the advantages of non-coherent detection fully, a detector which dispenses with array vector estimation is derived. Simulation results show that both the proposed non-coherent detectors succeed in noticeably improving performance by means of antenna arrays. In particular, for the second proposed scheme, this performance improvement can be achieved without any channel state estimation, thus resulting in a fully incoherent detection.