An Approach to Eliminate Ambiguity of Blind ML Detection for Orthogonal Space-Time Block Codes

In the blind Maximum-likelihood (ML) detection for Orthogonal Space-Time Block Codes (OSTBC), the problem of ambiguity in determining the symbols has been a great concern. A solution to this problem is to apply semi-blind ML detection, i.e., the blind ML decoding with pilot symbols or training sequence. In order to increase the performance, the number of pilot symbols or length of training sequence should be increased. Unfortunately, this leads to a significant decrease in system spectral efficiency. This work presents an approach to resolve the aforementioned issue by introducing a new method for constructing transmitted information symbol. Thus, by transmitting information symbols drawn from different modulation constellation, the ambiguity can be easily eliminated in blind detection. Also, computer simulations are implemented to verify the performance of the proposed approach.