A method of operating a node of a MIMO network may include transmitting first and second HARQ IDs over a downlink signaling channel to a wireless terminal for a first MIMO TTI. The first HARQ ID is mapped to a first MIMO layer, and the second HARQ ID is mapped to second and third MIMO layers. First, second, and third data blocks are transmitted over the first, second, and third MIMO layers to the wireless terminal for the first MIMO TTI. Responsive to receiving an ACK message associated with the first HARQ ID, a fourth data block is transmitted over the first MIMO layer to the wireless terminal for a second MIMO TTI. Responsive to receiving a NACK message associated with the second HARQ process identification, the second and third data blocks are retransmitted over the second and third MIMO layers to the wireless terminal for the second MIMO TTI.