Performance of finite-depth interleaved convolutional codes in a Rayleigh fading channel with noisy channel estimates

We derive the pairwise error probability of convolutional codes in a time-varying Rayleigh fading channel with finite interleaving depth and noisy channel estimates. The analysis quantifies the estimation-diversity tradeoff, which results from the opposite effects of the Doppler spread on the channel estimation accuracy and the channel diversity. It is also shown that when the channel estimates are correct, this analysis gives the same result as an existing perfect channel estimation analysis.