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Virginia Tech

Blind Acquisition of Short Burst with Per-Survivor Processing (PSP)

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

This thesis investigates the use of Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimation (MLSE) in the presence of unknown channel parameters. MLSE is a fundamental problem that is closely related to many modern research areas like Space-Time Coding, Overloaded Array Processing and Multi-User Detection. Per-Survivor Processing (PSP) is a technique for approximating MLSE for unknown channels by embedding channel estimation into the structure of the Viterbi Algorithm (VA). In the case of successful acquisition, the convergence rate of PSP is comparable to that of the pilot-aided RLS algorithm. However, the performance of PSP degrades when certain sequences are transmitted. In this thesis, the blind acquisition characteristics of PSP are discussed. The problematic sequences for any joint ML data and channel estimator are discussed from an analytic perspective. Based on the theory of indistinguishable sequences, modifications to conventional PSP are suggested that improve its acquisition performance significantly. The effect of tree search and list-based algorithms on PSP is also discussed. Proposed improvement techniques are compared for different channels. For higher order channels, complexity issues dominate the choice of algorithms, so PSP with state reduction techniques is considered. Typical misacquisition conditions, transients, and initialization issues are reported.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2002

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Mohammad, Maruf H.
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Tranter, William H.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Woerner, Brain D.
  • Reed, Jeffrey H.

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-12122002-150624
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/46193

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Mohammad, Maruf H.. Blind Acquisition of Short Burst with Per-Survivor Processing (PSP). masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/46193