Abstract: In a method for channel equalization a communications receiver receives an input data stream comprising modulation symbols. A reduced set sequence estimation algorithm produces intermediate hard decisions, based on the input data stream and on a channel reference, which are applied to a decision feedback filter in a feedback loop. Soft output sequences of emitted symbols are also produced, based on the input data stream, which are decoded, error-corrected and re-encoded. The error-corrected soft output sequences are iteratively applied to the decision feedback filter, such that a channel equalized received data stream is generated based on both the feedback soft output sequences and the intermediate hard decisions. An iterative decision-aided equalizer is also described. In this manner, errors corrected by the decoder are not re-introduced into the decision feedback filter, hereby reducing the effect of error propagation in decision-aided feedback equalizers.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of operating a coded OFDM communication system by interleaving a plurality of encoder output bits; mapping the interleaved bits to a plurality of modulated symbols; and forming a set of OFDM symbols for a plurality of transmit antennas based on the modulated symbols.