Non-random coding error exponent for lattices

Abstract

An upper bound on the error probability of specific lattices, based on their distance spectrum, is constructed. The derivation is accomplished using a simple alternative to the Minkowski-Hlawka mean-value theorem of the geometry of numbers. In many ways, the new bound greatly resembles the Shulman-Feder bound for linear codes. Based on the new bound, an error exponent is derived for specific lattice sequences (of increasing dimension) over the AWGN channel. Measuring the sequence's gap to capacity, using the new exponent, is demonstrated.