MP core: algorithm and design techniques for efficient channel estimation in wireless applications

Channel estimation and multiuser detection are enabling technologies for future generations of wireless applications. However, sophisticated algorithms are required for accurate channel estimation and multiuser detection, and real-time implementation of these algorithms is difficult. This paper presents architectural design methods for wireless channel estimation which can be leveraged to enable real-time multiuser detection. We redesign the matching pursuit (MP) channel estimation algorithm to reduce the complexity while maintaining the estimation accuracy. Furthermore, we develop a parameterized intellectual property (IP) core, which provides a hardware implementation of the MP algorithm. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the new algorithm and IP core for channel estimation. The implementation of our MP core on a modern, high performance reconfigurable system is about 216 times faster than running the algorithm on a state of the art microprocessor. The MP core possesses the speed required for performing true multiuser detection, enabling future generations of wireless communication applications.