An Efficient Channel Estimation for Amplify and Forward Cooperative Diversity with Relay Selection

In this paper, we propose a new channel estimation scheme for amplify and forward cooperative diversity with relay selection. In order to select best relay, it is necessary to know channel state information (CSI) at the destination. Most of the previous works, however, assume that perfect CSI is available at the destination. In addition, when the number of relay is increased it is difficult to estimate CSI through all relays within coherence time of a channel because of the large amount of frame overhead for channel estimation. In a proposed channel estimation scheme, each terminal has distinct pilot signal which is orthogonal each other. By using orthogonal property of pilot signals, CSI is estimated over two pilot signal transmission phases so that frame overhead is reduced significantly. Due to the orthogonal property among pilot signals, estimation error does not depend on the number of relays. Simulation result shows that the proposed channel estimation scheme provides accurate CSI at the destination.