RAKE performance using optimum estimation in measured indoor environment

This paper investigates the effectiveness of RAKE processing for WLAN applications. The indoor propagation channel represents a challenging environment which requires an accurate analysis for a number of system choices. We show that by means of a suitable choice of the spreading code it is possible to make channel estimation optimal, at the same time as paying only a low additional computational cost. In order to make our results representative of a system in operation, our analysis is carried out using measured channel delay profiles. The results show that a multi-tap receiver is often indispensable. Only under favourable conditions of propagation may a single-tap receiver be used, but then to the detriment of requirements on power consumption.