Decoding space-time codes with BLAST architectures

We describe how space-time codes can be decoded using a vertical BLAST architecture in a multiple-antenna transmission system. We first provide a general formulation of zero-forcing (ZF) and minimum mean-square error (MMSE) BLAST architectures. Next, we describe how these can be used to decode space-time trellis codes: the idea is to soft-decode sequentially segments of the trellis, and use the decoding results to remove spatial interference from subsequent segments. After the whole interference has been removed, the whole trellis is decoded.