A New Sparse Channel Estimation and Tracking Method for Time-Varying OFDM Systems

We propose a simple sparse channel estimation and tracking method for orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems based on a dynamic parametric channel model, where the channel is parameterized by a small number of distinct paths, each characterized by path delay and path gain, and all parameters are time varying. In the proposed method, we adaptively choose the delay grid and estimate each channel path delay iteratively. To further reduce the complexity, we also propose a tracking algorithm based on the fact that the changes in the channel path number and path delays are small over a few adjacent OFDM symbols. After the physical path delays are estimated, we then estimate the channel path gains by using the polynomial basis expansion model (P-BEM). Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed channel estimation and tracking method in dynamic environments. Compared with the compressive-sensing-based channel estimator using the orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) algorithm, the new technique proposed here has much lower computational complexity while offering comparable performance.