Distributed Space-Time Coding with Ultra-Wideband Systems

In this paper, we extend the amplify-and-forward (AF) cooperative diversity scheme to the context of impulse radio ultra wideband (IR-UWB). In particular, we apply a space-time (ST) coding scheme based on totally-real cyclic division algebras in order to achieve full diversity with no data rate losses. At a second time, the pulse repetitions are exploited in order to enhance the performance of the first scheme and to propose a new scheme that achieves comparable performance with lower complexity. These schemes are associated with pulse position modulation (PPM), pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) and hybrid pulse position and amplitude modulation (PPM-PAM)