1. A method for decoding data transmitted on a plurality of spatial channels in a multiple-input multiple-output wireless communications system, comprising: calculating non-squared l 2 norm metrics for a set of hypothesized symbols that correspond to coded bits transmitted over the spatial channels; searching the non-squared l 2 norm metrics for optimum metrics; squaring optimum metrics found during the searching to obtain post-squared metrics; and calculating log-likelihood ratio values for coded bits transmitted over the spatial channels using post-squared metrics.