A new approach for joint channel estimation and data detection in MIMO wireless systems

In this paper, we use the cubature Kalman filter (CKF) for joint channel estimation and data detection in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems subject to fast frequency-selective fading. First, based on a model of the channel coefficients and transmitted symbol dynamic, the problem is formulated in the state-space form, leading to a nonlinear observation equation. Then, the CKF is presented and some changes are proposed to improve the estimation and detection processes in the receiver, and to overcome modeling errors. Finally, through numerical simulations, it is shown that the CKF can be used to track channel variations and detect transmitted symbols with low error rates.