Concatenated space-time block coding with trellis coded modulation using a delay processor

It is known that tail-biting codes T' constructed from trellis coded modulation (TCM) with a delay processor can achieve large minimum Euclidean distances. In this paper, concatenated space-time block coding (STBC) with T' for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and MIMO-OFDM (orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing) systems is investigated. We propose an improved system which is implemented by inserting a specific block interleaver between the encoders of coded modulation and STBC. We also propose sliding-window-type iterative decoding using partial hard-decision feedback (SW-IDPHF) with low complexity to decode T', which provides better error performance as compared to sliding-window-type iterative decoding using full hard-decision feedback (SW-IDFHF). In addition, we apply sliding-window-type iterative decoding using soft-decision feedback (SW-IDSF) to T' for improved error performance. The decoder of concatenated system based on T' can converge faster and provide better ultimate error performance as compared to the case of BICM under various channel conditions for either MIMO or MIMO-OFDM systems.