Code design for combined channel estimation and error protection

We consider the problem of data transmission over a linear-filter channel with an unknown filter response. Traditionally, the various operations (equalization, detection, decoding) carried out by the receiver of a system that operates over an unknown channel assume access to high-quality estimates of the channel parameters. Such estimates are typically computed by a separate device for channel identification. In contrast, this paper focuses on combined channel estimation, equalization, and decoding. We also study the problem of code design, assuming such combined decoding. More precisely, we investigate nonlinear block coding and present a design criterion and a design algorithm, under the assumptions that a statistical description of the channel is available, and that the structure of the decoder is known to the transmitter. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the new scheme is capable of outperforming four different benchmark schemes.