Blind channel estimation for equalisation in dispersive fading channel

A new blind channel estimation technique is presented for non-linear/linear equalisation in a frequency-selective Rayleigh fading channel. At each symbol interval, a decision algorithm first makes a primary data estimate based on constrained linear minimum mean square error criterion, and then this is applied to subsequent channel estimation. Channel estimates are obtained in the form of two alternative, related methods: directly from the Wiener solution or Kalman-based recursion. The former performs better but requires more values from the normalised time-correlation function. The performance is evaluated by simulation, allowing fair comparison with the benchmark of equalised coherent detection; optimal uncoded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing with perfect channel state information at the receiver; the conventional decision-directed Kalman filtering which employs channel tracking with delay; and for the special case of flat fading, an optimised, pilot symbol-assisted modulation system.