A performance comparison of adaptive channel estimation algorithms using cyclic prefix in OFDM systems

Cyclic prefix (CP) based adaptive channel estimation algorithms using conventional one-tap zero forcing (ZF) and minimum-mean-square-error (MMSE) equalization have been proposed for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. In this paper, we compare performance of these schemes. Simulation results show that, at low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), adaptive channel estimator based on one-tap MMSE equalization performs better than the adaptive channel estimator based on one-tap ZF equalization. On the other hand, at intermediate and high values of SNR, the two schemes exhibit nearly equal performance. It therefore turns out that, adaptive channel estimator based on one-tap MMSE equalization is appealing at low SNR. Conversely, the adaptive channel estimator based on one-tap ZF equalization is a simple and compatible alternative at intermediate to high SNRs