Blind channel order estimation based on second-order statistics

For many existing blind channel estimation algorithms, accurate estimates of the channel order are a prerequisite. A novel scheme for blind channel order estimation using exclusively second-order statistics of the received signal is proposed, which can be embedded in channel estimation and is based on the examination of an indicator function constructed from initial channel estimates with overestimated order. It is demonstrated that significantly better order estimates can be obtained than by information-theoretic criteria like the minimum description length criterion.