Bit Error Probability for Pilot-Symbol-Aided OFDM Channel Estimation in Doubly-Selective Channels

In this paper, we derive a closed-form expression for the Bit Error Probability (BEP) of an orthogonal frequencydivision multiplexing system that utilizes pilot-symbol-aided channel estimation. We assume Rayleigh fading, additive white Gaussian noise, and that the interpolation is linear but otherwise completely arbitrary. It is shown that the minimum mean squared error interpolation also minimizes the BEP. For a Signal-to-Interference Ratio (SIR) smaller than the signal-to-noise ratio, simulations confirm our analytical results. However, for higher SIR they exhibit differences because the inter-carrier interference is not normally distributed, violating our assumptions.