Diversity-multiplexing gain tradeoff: A tool in algebra?

Since the invention of space-time coding numerous algebraic methods have been applied in code design. In particular algebraic number theory and central simple algebras have been on the forefront of the research. In this paper we are turning the table and asking whether information theory can be used as a tool in algebra. We first show how diversity-multiplexing gain tradeoff (DMT) bounds of Zheng and Tse will give us information of the spread of determinants in matrix lattices and then apply these results to analyze unit groups of orders of division algebras. The results considering unit groups are not new or the best possible but we do find that this interesting relation between algebra and information theory is quite surprising and worth pointing out.