Code-aided channel estimation and decoding over the flat fading channel with no pilot symbol

In this paper, we consider transmissions over the flat fading channel with no pilot symbols, and propose code-aided channel estimation, which utilizes the structure of the error-correction codes for channel estimation. Using a repeat-accumulate code as an example, we demonstrate how pilot-free communication can be achieved effectively with higher information throughput and negligible performance loss. The work aims to motivate the study on code and transceiver design specific to fading channels, which are suitable for efficient low-complexity joint channel estimation and decoding.