Estimation of Rician K-Factors from Block-Averaged Channel Measurements

Using simulated data with varying Rician K-factor, averaging block length (N), and sample size (P), this letter proposes and validates two new moment-based, unbiased estimators for block-averaged Rician data and presents a model for their standard errors. One estimator, K̑
_1,2
, has standard error that varies linearly with K and requires iterative calculation. The other estimator K̑
_2,4
, has standard error that can be orders of magnitude larger than the estimates, but has a closed-form solution. K̑
_2,4
can, however, be recommended when (N ≤ 16, P ≥ 100) if real-time constraints require it. K̑
_1,2
is recommended otherwise.