Bayesian Approach to Channel Estimation for AF MIMO Relaying Systems

In this paper, we investigate the problem of channel estimation in amplify-and-forward multiple-input multiple-output relaying systems operating over random wireless channels. Using the Bayesian framework, novel linear minimum mean square error and expectation-maximization based maximum a posteriori channel estimation algorithms are developed, that provide the destination with full knowledge of all channel parameters involved in the transmission. Moreover, new, explicit expressions for the Bayesian Cramer-Rao bound are deduced for predicting and evaluating the channel estimation accuracy. Our simulation results demonstrate that the incorporation of prior knowledge into the channel estimation algorithm offers significantly improved performance, especially in the low signal-to-noise ratio regime.