Data-Aided Signal-to-Noise-Ratio estimation in time selective fading channels

Data-Aided Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR) estimation is considered for time selective fading channels whose time variation is described by a polynomial time model. The inherent estimation accuracy limitations associated with the problem are quantified via a Cramer-Rao Bound analysis. A maximum likelihood type class of estimators is proposed and its exact, non-asymptotic performance is computed. The standard, constant channel SNR estimator performance is determined in the presence of channel polynomial order mismatch. Simulations results are presented which verify the effectiveness of the technique as well as its performance advantage over previously proposed methods.