Novel channel estimation for MIMO-OFDM systems with high efficiency and accuracy

Despite the time-domain channel estimation (TDCE) can obtain high estimate accuracy, it should be performed only by the block pilot arrangement, which is not suitable for the fast fading channels. Despite the frequency-domain channel estimation (FDCE) can be performed by the comb pilot arrangement, which is particularly suitable for fast fading channels, its estimate accuracy and channel efficiency are low. In order to combat the disadvantages of TDCE and FDCE, the hybrid-domain channel estimation (HDCE) is proposed based on the hybrid-domain system model (HDSM), where the direct relation between the frequency-domain signals and the channel impulse response (CIR) is given. The HDCE can be performed by both the block and comb pilot arrangements. With the block pilot arrangement, the HDCE can obtain high estimate accuracy as the TDCE. With the comb pilot arrangement, the HDCE can obtain much higher estimate accuracy and channel efficiency compared with the FDCE. The HDCE provides a practical solution of the channel estimation with high accuracy and channel efficiency for the MTMO-OFDM systems over fast fading channels.