Channel estimation techniques in amplify and forward relay networks

In this work we present efficient channel estimation algorithms for wideband amplify-and-forward (AF) based relay networks which utilize a recently proposed transmission model. It is shown that all channels in the network from the source through the relays to the destination/receiver node can be blindly estimated up to a phase ambiguities vector which contains the phases of the direct source to destination channel frequency response. Hence, by employing a small number of pilot symbols, phase ambiguities can be effectively resolved. As verified by computer simulations, the proposed methods exhibit high estimation accuracy even for a short training sequence, and outperform direct training-based channel estimation. A performance study of the proposed schemes in high SNR conditions is also presented and verified through computer simulations.