Applying the Calderbank-Mazo algorithm to space-time trellis coding

A space-time trellis code combines the channel code design with the use of multiple transmit antennas for improving the data rate and/or reliability of wireless communications. We present a systematic approach of translating the trellis diagrams of space-time trellis codes (STTC) to closed analytic forms. These closed analytic forms are generated by applying the Calderbank-Mazo (1984) algorithm which was originally proposed for trellis coded modulation (TCM). The closed analytic form can be used to create the generator matrix of the STTC as well as the block diagram structure of the space-time trellis encoder. This form also combines the encoding procedure and the symbol mapping procedure into one composite operation and simplifies calculations of the rank and determinant criteria of STTC.