Channel estimation mehtod and apparatus using data channel

A channel estimation method that uses a data channel, comprising the steps of:

• extracting a first estimation value from a potential pilot signal received through a pilot channel and a second estimation value from a potential data signal received through the data channel;
• calculating a weight for determining a utilization ratio of the potential data signal in channel estimation from an error rate of the potential data signal;
• and
• estimating a final estimation value using the first estimation value and the to second estimation value.

A channel estimation apparatus that uses a data channel, comprising:

• a weight calculator that calculates a weight for determining a utilization ratio of a potential data signal in channel estimation from an error rate of the potential data signal;
• a hard decision unit that makes a hard decision on the potential data signal for removing a data component of the potential data signal using a previous channel estimation value;
• a first estimation value extractor that extracts a first estimation value of a channel from a potential pilot signal received through a pilot channel and amplifies a gain of the first estimation value;
• a second estimation value extractor that extracts a second estimation value of the channel from a potential data signal received through a data channel and amplifies a gain of the second estimation value using the weight calculated by the weight calculator;
• and
• a channel estimator that estimates a final estimation value of the channel using the gain-adjusted first estimation value and the gain-adjusted second estimation value.