Optimizing Linear Dispersion Codes for Wideband MIMO Systems

We consider the problem of designing space-time- frequency linear dispersion (LD) codes in wideband multiple- input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna systems employing orthogonal-frequency-division-multiplexing (OFDM). Three design methods are presented and discussed, which involve: (1) minimizing the average block error rate, (2) maximizing the ergodic mutual information, and (3) a two-step procedure considering the optimization of the mutual information as well as the average block error rate, respectively. For any set of subcarriers, any number of OFDM symbol intervals, any number of transmit/receive antennas and any statistical fading channel model, the corresponding optimized LD code matrices are numerically computed via a stochastic gradient descent algorithm. Code design examples are provided and discussed for communication systems operating over a realistic 3GPP spatial channel model.