Simulation and performance bounds for real-time prediction of the mobile multipath channel

The fading encountered in multipath mobile communication channels is often the primary cause of degradation in communication system performance. There are many situations in mobile communications in which it would be advantageous for a communications system to have real time information on how a signal will fade in advance of the fade actually occurring. This paper looks at the ways in which this real time prediction of the mobile channel can be achieved. Physical models of mobile channels which allow prediction are discussed. Algorithms based on these models, and their performance, are presented. Performance bounds for model based prediction based on the Cramer Rao bound are also derived. The algorithms are also applied to measured channel data