Joint parameter estimation and symbol detection for linear or nonlinear unknown channels

We present an iterative method for joint channel parameter estimation and symbol selection via the Baum-Welch algorithm, or equivalently the Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm. Channel parameters, including noise variance, are estimated using a maximum likelihood criterion. The Markovian properties of the channel state sequence enable us to calculate the required likelihood using a forward-backward algorithm. The calculated likelihood functions can easily give optimum decisions on information symbols which minimize the symbol error probability. The proposed receiver can be used for both linear and nonlinear channels. It improves the system throughput by making saving in the transmission of known symbols, usually employed for channel identification. Simulation results which show fast convergence are presented