Space-Time Coding for Avionic Telemetry Channels

Abstract

Multiple antennas promise high data capacity for wireless communications. Most space-time coding schemes in literature focus on the rich scatter environment. In this paper, we argue that minimax criterion is a good design criterion for space-time codes over the avionic telemetry channels. This design criterion is different than those of space-time codes over rich scattering Rayleigh fading channels. Theoretical and numerical results show that the codes with optimal performance in Rayleigh fading channels do not necessarily have optimal performance in avionic telemetry channels. Therefore, the space-time codes should be carefully designed/selected when used in the avionic telemetry channels.