Detection Algorithm for Single-Carrier Spatial Modulation Signals in Frequency-Selective Fading Channels

In this paper, we address the problem of detector design in the frequency-selective fading channels for unique-word-based single-carrier spatial modulation (UWSC-SM) systems. We propose to precede the conventional M-algorithm with an appropriately designed frequency-domain prefilter to condition the equivalent channel so that the number of the survivor paths needed for a satisfactory performance can be significantly reduced. By exploiting the block circulant channel induced by the UWSC-SM block format, the prefilter can be computed, and carried out efficiently using the fast Fourier transforms. Simulation results demonstrate that, compared to the conventional M-algorithm, the proposed algorithm achieves essentially the same error-rate performance with a considerably lower overall complexity in systems where the number of receive antennas is no smaller than that of transmit antennas.