Hermitian rank distance codes

Abstract: Let $X=X(n,q)$ be the set of $n\times n$ Hermitian matrices over $\mathbb{F}_{q^2}$. It is well known that $X$ gives rise to a metric translation association scheme whose classes are induced by the rank metric. We study $d$-codes in this scheme, namely subsets $Y$ of $X$ with the property that, for all distinct $A,B\in Y$, the rank of $A-B$ is at least $d$. We prove bounds on the size of a $d$-code and show that, under certain conditions, the inner distribution of a $d$-code is determined by its parameters. Except if $n$ and $d$ are both even and $4\le d\le n-2$, constructions of $d$-codes are given, which are optimal among the $d$-codes that are subgroups of $(X,+)$. This work complements results previously obtained for several other types of matrices over finite fields.