Effect of channel estimation on pair-wise error probability in OFDM

Pair-wise error probability (PEP) is analyzed in the presence of channel estimation error (CEE) for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) in a quasi-static Rayleigh fading channel. Subcarriers in OFDM are grouped in an equi-spaced manner with the number of subcarriers in a group equal to the number of channel taps. One group is dedicated for training and the rest are for data transmission. A linear minimum mean square error (LMMSE) based channel estimation for coherent detection is considered in this paper. This enables the signal dependent CEE to be uncorrelated to the data. Since ML decoding employed with perfect CSI becomes suboptimal in the presence of CEE, an optimal ML decoding is derived. It is observed from our training-based PEP expression that the CEE does not reduce the diversity order but contributes to a loss of coding gain. Moreover, a code design criterion is established. To reduce the loss of coding gain, an optimal training scheme is developed, based on the PEP expression. Loss of performance due to an imperfect channel estimate is quantified in terms of bounds on bit error probability (BEP) for high SNR. Our analytical findings are corroborated by simulation examples.