An efficient joint data detection and channel estimation technique for uplink MC-CDMA systems based on SAGE algorithm

This paper is concerned with joint channel estimation and data detection for uplink multicarrier code-division multiple-access (MC-CDMA) systems in the presence of frequency fading channel. The detection and estimation algorithm, implemented at the receiver, is based on a version of the expectation maximization (EM) technique, called the spece-alternating-generalized-expectation-maximization (SAGE) algorithm which is very suitable for the the multicarrier signal formats. Application of the SAGE algorithm to the problem of iterative data detection and channel estimation leads to a receiver structure that also incorporates a partial interference cancelation. Computer simulations show that the proposed algorithm has excellent BER end estimation performance.