In this paper, collocated and distributed space-time block codes (DSTBCs) which admit multi-group maximum likelihood (ML) decoding are studied. First the collocated case is considered and the problem of constructing space-time block codes (STBCs) which optimally tradeoff rate and ML decoding complexity is posed. Recently, sufficient conditions for multi-group ML decodability have been provided in the literature and codes meeting these sufficient conditions were called Clifford Unitary Weight (CUW)STBCs. An algebraic framework based on extended Clifford algebras is proposed to study CUW STBCs and using this framework, the optimal tradeoff between rate and ML decoding complexity of CUW STBCs is obtained for few specific cases. Code constructions meeting this tradeoff optimally are also provided.The paper then focuses on multi-group ML decodable DSTBCs for application in synchronous wireless relay networks and three constructions of four-group ML decodable DSTBCs are provided. Finally, the OFDM based Alamouti space-time coded scheme proposed by Li-Xia for a 2 relay asynchronous relay network is extended to a more general transmission scheme that can achieve full asynchronous cooperative diversity for arbitrary number of relays. It is then shown how differential encoding at the source can be combined with the proposed transmission scheme to arrive at a new transmission scheme that can achieve full cooperative diversity in asynchronous wireless relay networks with no channel information and also no timing error knowledge at the destination node. Four-group decodable DSTBCs applicable in the proposed OFDM based transmission scheme are also given.

Abstract-The differential encoding/decoding setup introduced by Kiran et al, Oggier-Hassibi and Jing-Jafarkhani for wireless relay networks that use codebooks consisting of unitary matrices is extended to allow codebooks consisting of scaled unitary matrices. For such codebooks to be usable in the Jing-Hassibi protocol for cooperative diversity, the conditions involving the relay matrices and the codebook that need to be satisfied are identified. Using the algebraic framework of extended Clifford algebras, a new class of Distributed Differential Space-Time Codes satisfying these conditions for power of two number of relays and also achieving full cooperative diversity with a low complexity sub-optimal receiver is proposed. Simulation results indicate that the proposed codes outperform both the cyclic codes as well as the circulant codes. Furthermore, these codes can also be applied as Differential Space-Time codes for noncoherent communication in classical point to point multiple antenna systems.

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Abstract-In this two-part series of papers, a generalized non-orthogonal amplify and forward (GNAF) protocol which generalizes several known cooperative diversity protocols is proposed. Transmission in the GNAF protocol comprises of two phases -the broadcast phase and the cooperation phase. In the broadcast phase, the source broadcasts its information to the relays as well as the destination. In the cooperation phase, the source and the relays together transmit a space-time code in a distributed fashion. The GNAF protocol relaxes the constraints imposed by the protocol of Jing and Hassibi on the code structure. In Part-I of this paper, a code design criteria is obtained and it is shown that the GNAF protocol is delay efficient and coding gain efficient as well. Moreover GNAF protocol enables the use of sphere decoders at the destination with a non-exponential Maximum likelihood (ML) decoding complexity. In Part-II, several low decoding complexity code constructions are studied and a lower bound on the Diversity-Multiplexing Gain tradeoff of the GNAF protocol is obtained.

Abstract-Recently Li and Xia have proposed a transmission scheme for wireless relay networks based on the Alamouti space time code and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing to combat the effect of timing errors at the relay nodes. This transmission scheme is amazingly simple and achieves a diversity order of two for any number of relays. Motivated by its simplicity, this scheme is extended to a more general transmission scheme that can achieve full cooperative diversity for any number of relays. The conditions on the distributed space time block code (DSTBC) structure that admit its application in the proposed transmission scheme are identified and it is pointed out that the recently proposed full diversity four group decodable DSTBCs from precoded co-ordinate interleaved orthogonal designs and extended Clifford algebras satisfy these conditions. It is then shown how differential encoding at the source can be combined with the proposed transmission scheme to arrive at a new transmission scheme that can achieve full cooperative diversity in asynchronous wireless relay networks with no channel information and also no timing error knowledge at the destination node. Finally, four group decodable distributed differential space time block codes applicable in this new transmission scheme for power of two number of relays are also provided.