Near-Capacity Iteratively Decoded Space-Time Block Coding

Iteratively decoded near-capacity space-time block coding (STBC) schemes are designed. Recursive unity-rate codes and IRregular Convolutional Codes (IRCCs) are employed for assisting the conventional non-recursive STBC schemes in achieving decoding convergence to an infinitesimally low bit error ratio at near-capacity signal-to-noise ratios. IRregular Convolutional Codes (IRCCs) are used as the outer codes for achieving a near-capacity performance. It was shown that the resultant iteratively decoded STBC schemes are capable of approaching the corresponding channel capacity within 0.4 dB, when communicating over uncorrelated, flat Rayleigh fading channels.