A forward backward approach to adaptive space-time identification and equalization of time-varying channels

We present an adaptive algorithm for space-time channel identification and equalization. The proposed algorithm performs joint channel estimation and sequence detection by optimizing a least squares cost function iteratively in a forward and backward manner. Simulation results demonstrate the proposed algorithm to be data efficient and fast converging. In addition, a good BER performance is achieved in time-varying channels at relatively low SNR and with an extremely short start-up sequence. These attributes render it suitable for wireless mobile communications using short burst data format.