Long-term fading channel estimation from sample covariances

The power attenuation dynamics for long-term log-normal fading channels in wireless communication systems is modeled by a stochastic differential equation. Estimators for the model parameters based on sample covariances from data corrupted by discrete-time measurement noise are given. It is shown that the estimators are consistent, and variance expressions are derived and compared numerically to the Cramér–Rao bound. The estimation of the model parameters allows for the design of power control algorithms.