System and method for channel estimation

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for improving a channel estimate in a signal communication system. The systems and methods improve the channel estimation quality and/or the delay spread of the channels that can be estimated. The combining of symbols operates to increase the density of pilots that are processed to provide the channel estimate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1C are block diagrams which depict a radio frequency (RF) receiver and associated components, under an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a functional diagram depicting a procedure for estimating a channel, under an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a functional diagram depicting a procedure for estimating a channel, under an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a functional diagram depicting a procedure for estimating a channel, under an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a functional diagram depicting a procedure for estimating a channel, under an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram for estimating a channel, under an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram for estimating a channel, under an embodiment.

Claims

1. A system for communicating signals using a communication channel comprising: a receiving component for receiving a signal including a number of symbols, wherein each symbol comprises a number of data subcarriers and a number of pilot subcarriers;a combining component for combining a first symbol having data and at least one pilot interspersed with the data and a second symbol having data and at least one pilot interspersed with the data, wherein the combination of the first and second symbols corresponds with an increased pilot density; andan estimating component for estimating a parameter associated with the communication channel using information of the combined first and second symbols.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second symbols are consecutive symbols.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the combining component further combines the second symbol with a third symbol having data and at least one pilot interspersed with the data, wherein the first symbol, second symbol, and third symbol are consecutive symbols.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the combining component further combines the second symbol with a third symbol having data and at least one pilot interspersed with the data, and combines the third symbol with a fourth symbol having data and at least one pilot interspersed with the data.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transformation component, and wherein the combining component combines the first and second symbols using a time domain representation of the first and second symbols after transforming the first and second symbols with the transformation component.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transformation component, and wherein the combining component combines the first and second symbols using a frequency domain representation of the first and second symbols before transforming the first and second symbols with the transformation component.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the combining component further includes a weighting operation when combining the first and second symbols.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the estimating component determines a power delay profile (PDP) after combining the first and second symbols, wherein a determination of a number of taps is based in part on the PDP.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tracking component for tracking the communication channel based on the combination of the first and second symbols.

10. A method of communicating signals using a communication channel comprising: receiving a signal including a number of symbols, wherein each symbol is associated with a number of data subcarriers and a number of pilot subcarriers;combining a first symbol having data and at least one pilot interspersed with the data and a second symbol having data and at least one pilot interspersed with the data, wherein the combining operates to decrease pilot spacing of the combined symbols and increase the delay spread of communication channels that can be estimated; and,estimating a parameter associated with the communication channel using information of the combined first and second symbols.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising combining consecutive symbols.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising using a weighting operation when combining the first and second symbols.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising combining a third symbol having data and at least one pilot interspersed with the data with the first and second symbols.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the combining of the first and second symbols is performed in a time domain.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the combining of the first and second symbols is performed in a frequency domain.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising tracking the communication channel estimate based on the combination of the first and second symbols.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining a PDP after combining the first and second symbols, and determining a number of taps based in part on the PDP.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising combining the second symbol with a third symbol having data and at least one pilot interspersed with the data, and combining the third symbol with a fourth symbol having data and at least one pilot interspersed with the data.

19. A computer readable medium including executable instructions which, when executed in a communication system, use a communication channel by: receiving a signal including a number of symbols, wherein each symbol comprises a number of data subcarriers and a number of pilot subcarriers;combining a first symbol having data and at least one pilot interspersed with the data and a second symbol having data and at least one pilot interspersed with the data, wherein the combination of the first and second symbols corresponds with an increased pilot density; and,estimating a parameter associated with the communication channel using information of the combined first and second symbols.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the instructions, when executed further use the communication channel by combining consecutive symbols before estimating the parameter associated with the communication channel.