Robust channel prediction technique for decision directed RAKE receivers

The authors describe a robust channel prediction technique for a direct sequence spread spectrum (DS-SS) system in a fast fading environment. Coherent diversity reception is employed for improved performance. To estimate the channel response, an FIR type linear prediction filter is employed for each RAKE tap. The stability of the decision directed receiver is achieved through differential encoding of the data bits. It is demonstrated through simulations that the performance of the proposed decision directed receiver is better than a receiver which relies on a pilot signal