Efficient multipath channel estimation using a semi-blind parametric technique

A parametric method for estimating the unknown channel impulse response (CIR) in a semi-blind manner is proposed. The main trait of this method is that, instead of seeking the whole CIR sequence, only the unknown time delays and attenuation factors of the physical channel multipath components are estimated. The technique is based on a suitable application of the subchannel response matching (SRM) criterion. The resulting cost function is separable with respect to the two sets of unknown parameters, i.e. time delays and attenuations. Thus, an efficient two step optimization procedure can be applied. The new method offers significant computational savings and a lower mean square estimation error as compared to existing semi-blind channel estimation methods.