Systems and method for adaptive constellation mapping determine transmission formats for simultaneous transmission from multiple transmitter chains. The adaptive constellation mapping can select a winning combination of mappings using distance metrics. The distance metrics can be calculated from estimated received signal constellations at a multi-layer receiver. The multi-layer receiver can separate the data received from each of the transmitter chains. Additional systems and method can determine a whether to use adaptive constellation mapping or an alternate transmission format. Further systems and methods can determine a transmit arrangement that include selection of which of multiple transmitters will be a part of an adaptive constellation mapping transmission, the number of layers that will be transmitted by each transmitter, the transmitter chains that will be used, and which of multiple antennas that will be used.