Systems and methods for determining the number of channel estimation symbols based on the channel coherence bandwidth

#This disclosure relates to communication systems, and at least some of the examples disclosed herein relate more particularly to systems and methods for determining the number of channel estimation symbols to be transmitted to estimate a channel of a communications link based on the channel coherence bandwidth of the channel.

#FIG. 1 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a wireless environment. An area 100 includes various transmitting and receiving devices 102, 104, and 106. These devices 102, 104, and 106 can include mobile phones, radio and television transmitters, wireless networking devices, etc. Some of the devices 102, 104, and 106 are mobile devices; some are not mobile. Mobile or not, however, the communication environment in which these devices operate is constantly changing. Signals from these devices 102, 104 and 106 reflect off buildings 108, vehicles 110 and 112, hills 114 and other features of the geographic area 100. Further, features of the area 100 are changing. Vehicles 110 and 112 move, people move within the area 100, weather patterns change, new buildings are built, etc. All of these and many other factors lead to a constantly changing communications environment.

#The characteristics of wired communications channels, on the other hand, tend to be more consistent, even though they may vary with temperature, equipment changes, etc. Because of this relative consistency, it can be advantageous to estimate certain channel characteristics in ways not used in a wireless communication system, even if these wired systems use similar modulation techniques.

#The disclosed method and apparatus, in accordance with one or more various embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings merely depict examples of embodiments. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the disclosed method and apparatus and should not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope of the claimed invention. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale.

#FIG. 1 is a diagram that illustrates an example wireless environment.

#FIG. 2 illustrates an example wired environment for an entertainment network in accordance with the systems and methods described herein.

#The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed method and apparatus to the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that the disclosed method and apparatus can be practiced with modification and alteration. The claimed invention should be defined only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

#Systems and methods for determining the number of channel estimation symbols based on the channel coherence bandwidth are disclosed. While MoCA using OFDM is presented as an example system below, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that other wired communication or slowly varying wireless communications systems may also use the disclosed method and apparatus.

#FIG. 2 illustrates an example entertainment network 202 that might incorporate a communication system in accordance with the systems and methods described herein. The entertainment network 202 is located in a typical family home 200. However, it will be understood that the systems and methods described herein can be applied to various other types of buildings or outdoor locations that might use communication networks, such as, but not limited to, the entertainment network 202 illustrated in FIG. 2.