Detection Algorithm and Initial Laboratory Results using the V-BLAST Space-Time Communication Architecture

The signal detection algorithm of the vertical BLAST (Bell Laboratories Layered Space-Time) wireless communications architecture is briefly described. Using this joint space-time approach, spectral efficiencies ranging from 20-40 b/s/Hz have been demonstrated in the laboratory under flat fading conditions at indoor fading rates. Some early lab results are presented. Recent information theory research as shown that the rich-scattering wireless channel is capable of enormous theoretical capacities if the multipath is properly exploited. The diagonally-layered space architecture proposed by Foschini, now known as BLAST, utilizes multi-element antenna arrays at both transmitter and receiver and an elegant diagonally-layered coding structure in which code blocks are dispersed across diagonals in space-time.