Blind estimation and equalization of MIMO channels via multidelay whitening

Blind channel estimation and blind minimum mean square error (MMSE) equalization of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications channels arising in multiuser systems is considered, using primarily the second-order statistics of the data. The basis of the approach is the design of multiple zero-forcing equalizers that whiten the noise-free data at multiple delays. In the past such an approach has been considered using just one zero-forcing equalizer at zero-delay. Infinite impulse response (IIR) channels are allowed. Moreover, the multichannel transfer function need not be column-reduced. The proposed approach also works when the "subchannel" transfer functions have common zeros so long as the common zeros are minimum-phase zeros. The channel length or model orders need not be known. Using second-order statistics, the sources are recovered up to a unitary mixing matrix, and are further "unmixed" using higher order statistics of the data. Two illustrative simulation examples are provided where the proposed method is compared with its predecessors and an existing method to show its efficacy.