Error probability minimizing pilots for OFDM with M-PSK modulation over Rayleigh-fading channels

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with pilot symbol assisted channel estimation is a promising technique for high rate transmissions over wireless frequency-selective fading channels. In this paper, we analyze the symbol error rate (SER) performance of OFDM with M-ary phase-shift keying (M-PSK) modulation over Rayleigh-fading channels, in the presence of channel estimation errors. Both least-squares error (LSE) and minimum mean-square error (MMSE) channel estimators are considered. For prescribed power, our analysis not only yields exact SER formulas, but also quantifies the performance loss due to channel estimation errors. We also optimize the number of pilot symbols, the placement of pilot symbols, and the power allocation between pilot and information symbols, to minimize this loss, and thereby minimize SER. Simulations corroborate our SER performance analysis, and numerical results are presented to illustrate our optimal claims.