Layered space–time block code for hybrid satellite–terrestrial broadcasting systems

Multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) is a topic of high interest for the next generation of broadcasting systems. Even if they have begun to be proposed for the second generation of terrestrial digital TV, there are still gaps in the deployment of MIMO schemes in single‐frequency networks. This deployment becomes more critical when a hybrid satellite–terrestrial transmission is adopted because of the different aspects of the respective transmission links. In this paper, we propose to apply a layered space–time block code (LSTBC) for MIMO schemes in this hybrid transmission for next‐generation handheld (NGH) systems. The contribution of this paper is multi‐fold. First, we detail the land mobile satellite channel specifications describing the satellite link. Then, we propose to apply a MIMO scheme between the antennas of the satellite site and the terrestrial site. Then, we introduce the LSTBC scheme for NGH broadcasting systems. The proposed code is based on a layered construction designed to be efficient in shadowing regions. This efficiency is verified in a line‐of‐sight situation but also in low, moderate and deep shadow situations. The LSTBC scheme is then a very promising candidate for NGH systems with MIMO transmission. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.