Iterative channel estimation and decoding with product codes in multicarrier systems

A two-dimensional channel estimation scheme for coherent detection of multicarrier modulated signals is presented which is based on the a posteriori probability (APP) calculation algorithm. An iterative estimation and decoding loop over inner estimator/product code and outer soft in/soft out APP decoder allows to further reduce the bit error rate. Heavily punctured recursive systematic convolutional codes are introduced as high-rate component codes of the inner product code. The proposed system outperforms the reference system which applies conventional two-dimensional Wiener filters for channel estimation.