Experimental study of semi-blind channel identification/equalization through pilot signals

We present a pilot-based channel identification scheme with a unimodal performance surface which guarantees its convergence towards an unbiased estimate of the channel response. A computationally efficient least squares channel identification algorithm is then proposed. We also introduce three different implementation strategies for data receivers which may use the proposed scheme for semi-blind equalization of communication channels. The reliability of the proposed scheme is tested through computer simulations.