Abstract: A method for communicating information is disclosed and includes, in a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) communication system utilizing a plurality of modulation types and a plurality of spatial streams, determining an aggregate noise characteristic based upon a noise characteristic of each of the plurality of spatial streams. A receiver may be configured to receive subsequent data based on one or both of: a current modulation type for modulating a current spatial stream and at least one subsequent modulation type for modulating at least one subsequent spatial stream. The current modulation type and the at least one subsequent modulation type may be based on the determined aggregate noise characteristic. A constellation field may be encoded to uniquely identify a combination comprising the current modulation type, and the at least one subsequent modulation type.