A Novel Velocity Estimation Algorithm of Narrow-Band Mobile Communication Channels

Maximum Doppler spread or, equivalently, the vehicle velocity, can be estimated to improve handoff algorithms and tune parameters for systems when channel conditions change. This paper presents a new mobile station velocity estimator based on the normalized auto-covariance of the Rician fading signal and that of the squared envelope respectively of the received signal. The proposed algorithm is based on such a truth that estimation from auto-covariance function of received signal is more accurate than that from squared envelope when LOS component is not strong (K is small), and the conclusion is contrary if K is large. Compared to previous approaches, the proposed algorithm is shown to have better performance in a microcellular /macro cellular propagation environment, which can be characterized by no isotropic scattering and/or a specular component of unknown strength. Simulations show that the proposed algorithm is robust in both microcellular and macro cellular environments.