Channel estimation using superimposed pilots and second-order statistics for massive MIMO networks

In this paper, a channel estimation method based on superimposed pilots with second-order statistics is proposed for multi-cell Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) networks. In the proposed method, superimposed pilots are used in the uplink training and the base station gets a coarse estimation of the channel state information based on first order statistics. Then, extra information based on the second order statistics of received signals is used to refine the channel estimation. Simulation results show that the newly proposed method achieves better performance than traditional methods in term of channel estimation error and symbol error probability.