Variable-Block-Length Joint Channel Estimation and Data Detection for Spatial Modulation Over Time-Varying Channels

We propose novel variable-block-length joint channel estimation and data detection for spatial modulation over time-varying channels, where the data frame is divided into multiple blocks, and channel state information (CSI) is estimated in a block-by-block manner. More specifically, in each block maximum-likelihood-based data detection and channel estimation are iteratively carried out, where the detected data block is used as a long pilot sequence to update CSI. Our simulation results demonstrate that the performance of the proposed scheme is capable of approaching that of a perfect-CSI scenario. Moreover, the proposed scheme outperforms the recent rectangular differential spatial modulation scheme, without any substantial cost in terms of the preamble overhead and detection complexity.