Blind sequence detection without channel estimation

This paper proposes a new blind sequence estimation method for single-input single-output (SISO) systems utilizing an optimal trellis search, which is performed by a channel-independent Viterbi algorithm (CIVA). In contrast to the traditional Viterbi algorithm that requires accurate channel estimation, CIVA does not require channel coefficients. Instead, the metrics are calculated from a bank of test vectors designed off-line. The proposed algorithm has outstanding performance under most of the channel conditions. Specifically, it does not suffer from ill-conditioned channels. In addition, it does not depend on channel correlation estimation and, therefore, has fast convergence. Simulations demonstrate its superior performance over even most training-based equalization algorithms.