Effect of Channel Estimation Error on Bit Error Probability in OFDM Systems over Rayleigh and Ricean Fading Channels

A characteristic function-based method is used to derive closed-form bit error probability (BEP) expressions for orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems in the presence of channel estimation error over frequency-selective Rayleigh fading channels and frequency-selective Ricean fading channels. Both single channel reception and diversity reception with maximal ratio combining (MRC) are examined. The BEP expressions are shown to be sums of several conditional probability functions which can be calculated by using proper complex Gaussian random variable theory and a characteristic function method. The closed-form BEP expressions can be used to accurately investigate the bit error rate performance degradation caused by channel estimation error under different wireless channel environment models. The performances of two interpolation methods, a sine interpolator with Hamming windowing and a Wiener interpolator, are compared.