SOVA Decoding with Blind Channel Estimation in a SIMO FIR Channel

This paper addresses the issue of blind channel estimation (BCE) in a SIMO FIR channel. This is an issue arising in e.g. mobile communication systems using digital signaling. It also arises in the presence of frequency selective fading, when training (reference/pilot) symbols are unavailable. In this contribution we analyze the performances of a frac12 and 1/3 rate turbo code of various frame lengths with two types of second order statistical BCE algorithms-the subspace decomposition algorithm (SSDA) and the outer product decomposition algorithm (OPDA). The object of this contribution is to investigate and compare the performances of the turbo coded system with these two types of BCE algorithms in order to characterize a possible and realistic scenario. The results show that the turbo coded schemes using the SSDA can outperform the scheme using the OPDA by as mush as 7 dB