Systems and methods for improved wireless channel estimation

摘要

Systems and methods are disclosed herein to provide improved channel estimation in a wireless data communication system, including but not limited to Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) communication systems. In accordance with one or more embodiments and aspects thereof, a channel estimation system is disclosed that utilizes data payload portions of received wireless packets to calculate estimates of the radio frequency (RF) channel traversed by these packets, and iteratively refines and improves these estimates by selectively utilizing successive received packets according to the application of certain metrics. Such a system may offer improved capabilities such as: more accurate signal reception, reduced bit error ratio, and better reception of short data packets.

主权项

1. A system for calculating radio frequency (RF) wireless channel properties for digital communications over a wireless channel, comprising:
a receive processor for receiving information over said wireless channel, converting the information to digital signals, and processing the digital signals; a channel estimator for calculating a first channel property matrix from said digital signals; a storage unit containing a plurality of previously computed channel property matrices; a storage lookup unit operatively coupled to said storage unit that selects at least one second channel property matrix from said plurality of previously computed channel property matrices; a function for determining whether said first channel property matrix is usable with said at least one second channel property matrix or said at least one second channel property matrix is usable with said first channel property matrix for improving the accuracy of the calculated RF wireless channel properties; a combination unit for generating a composite channel estimate based on said first and said at least one second channel property matrix; and an equalizer for using the composite channel estimate to process baseband signals supplied from a plurality of baseband processors to reverse effects of the wireless channel on signals carrying the information over the wireless channel.