Linear dispersion codes for MIMO systems based on frame theory

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication systems provide high capacity due to the plurality of modes available in the channel. Existing signaling techniques for MIMO systems have focused primarily on multiplexing for high data rate or diversity for high link reliability. In this paper, we present a new linear dispersion code design for MIMO Rayleigh fading channels. The proposed design bridges the gap between multiplexing and diversity and yields codes that typically perform well both in terms of ergodic capacity as well as error probability. This is important because, as we show, designs performing well from an ergodic capacity point of view do not necessarily perform well from an error probability point of view. Various techniques are presented for finding codes with good error probability performance. Monte Carlo simulations illustrate performance of some example code designs in terms of ergodic capacity, codeword error probability, and bit error probability.