A rotation by a phase offset is applied to symbols to be transmitted by one antenna relative to symbols to be transmitted from another antenna in a wireless communication system employing multi-element antennas at the transmitter. Such a phase offset allows the functionality of a MIMO system to be maintained when a MIMO channel degenerates. Advantageously, a MIMO system using the new signal design may provide a level of performance in a rich-scattering environment that is equivalent to a MIMO system using a known signal design. Furthermore, a MIMO system employing embodiments of the present invention may show significantly improvements in robustness over conventional MIMO systems.