A decision feedback equalizer with time-reversal structure

Abstract
This work describes the use of a receiver with a time-reversal structure for low-complexity decision feedback equalization of slowly fading dispersive indoor radio channels. Time-reversal is done by storing each block of received signal samples in a buffer and reversing the sequential order of the signal samples in time prior to equalization. As a result, the equivalent channel impulse response as seen by the equalizer is a time-reverse of the actual channel impulse response. Selective time-reversal operation, therefore, allows a decision feedback equalizer (DFE) with a small number of forward filter taps to perform equally well for both minimum-phase and maximum-phase channel characteristics. The author evaluates the theoretical performance bounds for such a receiver and quantifies the possible performance improvement for discrete multipath channels with Rayleigh fading statistics. Two extreme cases of DFE examples are considered: an infinite-length DFE; and a DFE with a single forward filter tap. Optimum burst and symbol timing recovery is addressed and several practical schemes are suggested. Simulation results are presented. The combined use of equalization and diversity reception is considered.