Channel Estimation Scheme for WLAN Systems with Backward Compatibility

IEEE 802.11n standards introduced a mixed‐mode format frame structure to achieve higher throughput with multiple antennas while providing backward compatibility with legacy systems. Although multi‐input multi‐output channel estimation was possible only with high‐throughput long training fields (HT‐LTFs), the proposed scheme utilizes a legacy LTF as well as HT‐LTFs in a decision feedback manner to improve the accuracy of the estimates. It was verified through theoretical analysis and simulations that the proposed scheme effectively enhances the mean square error performance.