1. A method for decoding space time codes in a wireless multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) communication system, the method comprising: receiving a signal Y on r antennas, wherein r is an integer greater than one (1), wherein Y comprises a plurality of encoded data symbols s, s is encoded using a space time code matrix S, s={s 1 , s 2 , s 3 ,. .. s T }, and T represents a number of data symbols received during a time t; and decoding the received signal Y using pairs of encoded data symbols.