Frame-based iterative channel estimation using data symbols of space-time block codes

In this paper, a novel approach using frame-based iterative channel fading parameters estimation technique from the received data sequence exploiting orthogonal property of the space-time block (STB) code is proposed. For practical implementation of STB code, the receiver requires to estimate these parameters. Regarding this type of estimation, the inherent orthogonal nature of STB code can be exploited to simplify multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) channel estimation technique. While modified decision-directed iterative channel estimation updates estimated parameters throughout the frame, proposed frame-based iterative channel estimation technique updates estimated channel parameters once in each iteration after decoding the whole frame. This modification reduces the effect of incorrect detection significantly. Simulation results show about 1 dB gain of bit error rate over the state-of-the-art method. The proposed scheme uses few pilot symbols to provide near perfect lower-bound performance at the cost of increased receiver complexity.