A multi-stage decoding strategy for the multiple antenna system

The original detection algorithm for the well known vertical Bell Laboratories layered space-time (V-BLAST) architecture for multiple antenna systems is based on the differential feedback equalization (DFE) principle. To improve the error performance of the V-BLAST system, a new decoding algorithm, based on the divide and conquer strategy, is proposed. The algorithm uses a recursive method to find the estimate for the transmitted symbol vector. The transmitted vector is divided into smaller subvectors, which are estimated recursively by further subdivision. The estimate of the smallest subvector (symbol) is obtained in a relatively straightforward manner. These subvectors are successively combined to obtain finally the estimate of the complete transmitted vector. We compare the new method with existing methods. It can be seen that the new method gives significant SNR improvement over other methods, at the cost of some added computation.