Architectures for MIMO-OFDM simplified decision directed channel estimation

VLSI implementations for iterative channel estimation in MIMO-OFDM systems are a challenge for future receivers. Additionally sufficient flexibility is required to support multi-standard multi-mode operation. These challenges are investigated in this paper by two VLSI implementations for a MIMO-OFDM decision directed channel estimation (DDCE) algorithm: The first application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) implementation for simplified decision directed (SIDD) MIMO-OFDM channel estimation and a custom vector processor running a SIDD software implementation. This work shows that the software implementation of the SIDD algorithm on a custom vector processor can compete with the ASIC implementation. Both implementations and the efficiency/flexibility trade-offs are analyzed quantitatively.