Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing receiver with iterative channel estimation and a corresponding method

Abstract

An Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing reception method and receiver for receiving a signal representing data symbols through a plurality of channels and for supplying an estimation of the data symbols. The receiver includes a plurality of branches of diversity processing blocks. Each block includes data and pilot symbols distributed within a bi-dimensional time-frequency block. The receiver includes a channel estimator which receives the output signals supplied from the various branches of diversity, and provides a flexible estimation of the data symbols. The channel estimator processes a finite number of iterations in accordance with an expectation-maximization algorithm taking into consideration the pilot symbols of a bi-dimensional time-frequency block, and the pilot and precedent flexible data symbols estimated for following iterations until the finite number of iterations is reached. After the final iteration, the estimator supplies an estimated channel that is optimized by the iterative algorithm.