Two new space-time codes for UWB range extension

Ultrawideband (UWB) radio is a promising solution for low and high data rate wireless communications over short ranges. Space-time (ST) coding techniques are known to be simple and practical ways to increase both the spectral efficiency and the capacity in wireless communications. So far, few contributions have looked over multiple-inputs multiple-outputs (MIMO) UWB systems. In this paper we introduce two new families of ST codes suitable for binary pulse modulated (BPM) and pulse position modulated (PPM) UWB systems. The codes are characterised by full-rate, full-diversity and low complexity at the receiver side. The probability of error resulting from the use of these space-time codes in a typical MIMO UWB channel is analytically derived. Simulations support analysis for various numbers of transmit and receive antennas in order to show that the two methods can effectively enlarge the transmission range of UWB devices. Copyright © 2009 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.