Joint channel estimation / data detection in MIMO-FBMC/OQAM systems — A tensor-based approach

Filter bank-based multicarrier (FBMC) systems have been considered as a prevalent candidate for replacing the long established cyclic prefix (CP)-based orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (CP-OFDM) in the physical layer of next generation communications systems. In particular, offset quadrature amplitude modulation (OQAM)-based FBMC has received increasing attention due to, among other features, its potential for maximum spectral efficiency. It suffers, however, from an intrinsic self-interference effect, which complicates signal processing tasks at the receiver, including synchronization, channel estimation and equalization. In a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) configuration, the multi-antenna interference has also to be taken into account. (Semi-)blind FBMC/OQAM receivers have been little studied so far and mainly for single-antenna systems. The problem of joint channel estimation and data detection in a MIMO-FBMC/OQAM system, given limited or no training information, is studied in this paper through a tensor-based viewpoint in the light of the success of such techniques in OFDM applications. Simulation-based comparisons with CP-OFDM are included, for realistic transmission models.