Channel Estimation for LTE Downlink

Abstract: 3GPP LTE is the evolution of the UMTS in response to ever-increasing demands for high quality multimedia services according to users’ expectations. Since downlink is always an important factor in coverage and capacity aspects, special attention has been given in selecting technologies for LTE downlink. Novel technologies such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and multiple input, multiple output (MIMO), can enhance the performance of the current wireless communication systems. The high data rates and the high capacity can be attained by using the advantages of the two technologies. These technologies have been selected for LTE downlink. Pilot-assisted channel estimation is a method in which known signals, called pilots, are transmitted along with data to obtain channel knowledge for proper decoding of received signals. This thesis aims at channel estimation for LTE downlink. Channel estimation algorithms such as Least Squares (LS), Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) haven been evaluated for different channel models in LTE downlink. Performance of these algorithms has been measured in terms of Bit Error Rate (BER) and Symbol Error Rate (SER).