Optimal Pilot Symbol Power Allocation in LTE

The UMTS Long Term Evolution (LTE) allows the pilot symbol power to be adjusted with respect to that of the data symbols. Such power increase at the pilot symbols results in a more accurate channel estimate, but in turn reduces the amount of power available for the data transmission. In this paper, we derive optimal pilot symbol power allocation based on maximization of the post-equalization Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR) under imperfect channel knowledge. Simulation validates our analytical mode for optimal pilot symbol power allocation.