Noncoherent block coded modulation

For coherent detection, block coded modulation with multistage decoding is a bandwidth efficient coded modulation system. In this paper, a novel block coded modulation system for noncoherent detection called noncoherent block coded modulation (NBCM) is proposed. We present a theorem for the distance property of the NBCM. This theorem provides a guideline of constructing good codes of NBCM. Specific designs of NBCM are given also. In addition, to simplify the decoding of NBCM, two algorithms for multistage decoding are proposed. The advantage of NBCM is demonstrated by comparing examples with respect to code rate, block length, error performance and decoding complexity.