Space-time processing with a decoupled delayed decision-feedback sequence estimator

Abstract

This work aims at investigating the performance of a Decoupled Space-Time processing structure based on a Delayed Decision-Feedback Sequence Estimator (D-ST-DDFSE), in the context of the Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) system. The main idea in using Decoupled Space-Time (D-ST) processing structures is to separate Co-Channel Interference (CCI) reduction from Inter-Symbol Interference (ISI) suppression. Consequently, all degrees of freedom of a space-time (ST) front-end are dedicated to treat CCI, leaving ISI to be suppressed by a temporal equalizer. Due to the 8-PSK modulation and the large delay spread values compared to the symbol period, optimum detection becomes too complex in the EDGE system, which makes DDFSE a promising scheme for ISI suppression. The performance of D-ST-DDFSE is analyzed through link-level simulations under the context of COST 259 channel models for Typical Urban (TU) and Bad Urban (BU) propagation scenarios. Improved performance of this D-ST technique over a space-time linear equalizer is observed.