A method for data transmission in a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system. The method for data transmission includes receiving multiple input data streams and performing low density parity check (LDPC) encoding of the input data streams utilizing a parity check matrix. The parity check matrix comprises a plurality of sub-parity check matrices for encoding respective associated ones of the input data streams and performing space time encoding for transmitting the LDPC encoded input data streams over a plurality of antennas. The performing of the LDPC encoding of the input data streams includes generating one or more connection matrices, each connection matrix for injecting information of one of the input data streams into the encoding of another one of the input data streams. Each connection matrix is a zero matrix if a lowest parity check protection level based on the sub-parity check matrix for the one of the input data streams is equal to or lower than an assigned parity check protection level for the one input data stream, and a non zero matrix otherwise.