Multi-input multi-output deletion channel

We describe a new channel model suitable in certain applications, namely the multi-input multi-output (MIMO) deletion channel. This channel models the scenarios where multiple transmitters and receivers suffering from synchronization errors are employed. We then consider a coding scheme over such channels based on a serial concatenation of a low-density parity check (LDPC) code, a marker code and a layered space-time code. We design two detectors operating at the bit level which jointly achieve synchronization for the deletion channel (with the help of the marker code) and detection for the MIMO channel. Utilizing the proposed detector together with an LDPC code with powerful error-correction capabilities, we demonstrate that reliable transmission over a MIMO deletion channel is feasible.