A reduced dimensionality propagation model for frequency selective Rayleigh fading channels

Presents a new model for the frequency selective Rayleigh fading channel, based on a Taylor expansion of the transmitted signal. Because only a few derivatives are required, the discrete time channel impulse response (CIR), which normally spans many symbols, can be described by only a few parameters. Consequently, both channel estimation and channel simulation become simpler. The authors assess the accuracy of the model and demonstrate its effectiveness by the BER performance of a Viterbi receiver that uses the reduced dimensionality CIR. For channels with a rms delay spread not exceeding a quarter of a symbol duration, the receiver performs as well as a Viterbi receiver with access to the true CIR. For greater delay spreads, higher derivatives can be employed