Methods and apparatuses for detecting signals in a MIMO communication system include receiving symbols coded into pairs using a space-time code. Estimating a channel matrix that identifies the response between multiple transmit and receive antennas in the MIMO communication system. Performing a QR factorization on the channel matrix to obtain Q and R matrices. Determining a receive vector corresponding to a plurality of transmitted symbols received by the multiple receive antennas and transforming the receive vector based upon the Q matrix. Estimating a value of at least two received symbols to determine at least two estimated symbols. Then removing a contribution of the estimated symbols from the receive vector to determine a revised received vector. Estimating a value of at least two additional received symbols to determine at least two additional estimated symbols.