Global minimum-based MLD demapping for soft-output MIMO detection

摘要

A method for generating soft bit values for a multi-bit symbol encoded in one or more received signals comprises (a) for a plurality of different combinations of multiple bit values, iteratively generating, for each combination, a metric value based on the one or more received signals. The method further comprises (b) for each iteration, maintaining (i) a global extremum register containing a global extremum of the metric values; (ii) a bit occupancy for the global extremum register; and (iii) a plurality of bit b_k registers, one for each bit b_k in the symbol. Each bit b_k register contains an extremum of the metric values corresponding to combinations of multiple bit values whose bit b_k value is opposite the bit b_k value of the bit occupancy for the global extremum register. The method further comprises (c) generating, for each bit b_k in the symbol, a soft bit value based on a difference between the value in the global extremum register and the value in the corresponding bit b_k register.