Differential space time block codes using nonconstant modulus constellations for four transmit antennas

We extend the differential space time block code (STBC) using nonconstant modulus constellations of two transmit antennas to four transmit antennas case. The proposed method obtains larger minimum Euclidean distances than those of conventional differential STBC with PSK constellations. We derive the symbol error rate (SER) performance of the proposed method and demonstrate the SER performance using computer simulations for both static and fast fading channels. For transmission rates greater than 2 bits/channel use and 3 bits/channel use, the proposed method outperforms the conventional differential STBC.