Applications of the Golden Code

The Golden code is a full rate, full diversity 2x2 linear dispersion space-time block code (STBC) that was constructed using cyclic division algebras. The underlaying algebraic structure provides the exceptional properties of the Golden code: cubic shaping and non-vanishing minimum determinant. In this paper, we first give a basic introduction about the Golden code. We discuss how to use the Golden code in a practical concatenated coding scheme for 2x2 MIMO systems based on OFDM, such as the ones proposed for high rate indoor wireless LAN communications (e.g. 802.11n). The proposed bandwidth efficient concatenated scheme uses the Golden code as an inner multidimensional modulation and a trellis code as outer code. Lattice set partitioning is designed in order to increase the minimum determinant. A general framework for code construction and optimization is developed. It is shown that this golden space-time trellis coded modulation scheme can provide excellent performance for high rate applications.