EM-Based Channel Estimation for mMIMO LEO SATCOM Under Imperfect Doppler Compensation

Massive multiple-input multiple-output low-Earth-orbit communication channels are highly time-varying due to severe Doppler shifts and propagation delays. While satellite-mobility-induced Doppler shifts can be compensated using known ephemeris data, those caused by user mobility require accurate user positioning information; the absence of such information contributes to amplified channel aging in conventional channel estimators. To address this challenge, we propose a data-aided channel estimator based on the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm, combined with a discrete Legendre polynomial basis expansion method (DLP-BEM), to estimate the channel under imperfect Doppler compensation. The EM algorithm iteratively exploits hidden data symbols for improved channel estimation, while DLP-BEM regularizes the process by projecting the channel estimate onto a lower dimensional subspace that mitigates estimation errors. Simulation results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed framework over existing methods in terms of normalized mean square error and symbol error rate.

Novel Selection Schemes for Multi-RIS-Assisted Fluid Antenna Systems

This paper investigates the performance of a multi-reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-assisted fluid antenna system (FAS). In this system, a single-antenna transmitter communicates with a receiver equipped with a planar FAS through multiple RISs in the absence of a direct link. To enhance the system performance, we propose two novel selection schemes: \textit{Max-Max} and \textit{Max-Sum}. In particular, the \textit{Max-Max} scheme selects the best combination of a single RIS and a single fluid antenna (FA) port that offers the maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the receiver. On the other hand, the \textit{Max-Sum} scheme selects one RIS while activating all FA ports providing the highest overall SNR. We conduct a detailed performance analysis of the proposed system under Nakagami-$m$ fading channels. First, we derive the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the SNR for both selection schemes. The derived CDF is then used to obtain approximate theoretical expressions for the outage probability (OP) and the delay outage rate (DOR). Next, a high-SNR asymptotic analysis is carried out to provide further insights into the system performance in terms of diversity and coding gains. Finally, the analytical results are validated through extensive Monte Carlo simulations, demonstrating their accuracy and providing a comprehensive understanding of the system's performance.

Semi-blind Channel Estimation for Massive MIMO LEO Satellite Communications

This letter proposes decision-directed semi-blind channel estimation for massive multiple-input multiple-output low-Earth-orbit satellite communications. Two semi-blind estimators are proposed. The first utilizes detected data symbols in addition to pilot symbols. The second, a modified semi-blind estimator, is specially designed to mitigate the channel-aging effect caused by the highly dynamic nature of low-Earth-orbit satellite communication channels -- an issue that adversely impacts the performance of pilot-based estimators. Consequently, this modified estimator outperforms an optimal pilot-based estimator in terms of normalized mean square error and achieves symbol error rate performance comparable to that of a Genie-aided (perfectly known channel) detector. The trade-offs between the proposed estimators are also examined.

Robust Secure ISAC: How RSMA and Active RIS Manage Eavesdropper's Spatial Uncertainty

Incorporating rate splitting multiple access (RSMA) into integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) presents a significant security challenge, particularly in scenarios where the location of a potential eavesdropper (Eve) is unidentified. Splitting users' messages into common and private streams exposes them to eavesdropping, with the common stream dedicated for sensing and accessible to multiple users. In response to this challenge, this paper proposes a novel approach that leverages active reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) aided beamforming and artificial noise (AN) to enhance the security of RSMA-enabled ISAC. Specifically, we first derive the ergodic private secrecy rate (EPSR) based on mathematical approximation of the average Eve channel gain. An optimization problem is then formulated to maximize the minimum EPSR, while satisfying the minimum required thresholds on ergodic common secrecy rate, radar sensing and RIS power budget. To address this non-convex problem, a novel optimization strategy is developed, whereby we alternatively optimize the transmit beamforming matrix for the common and private streams, rate splitting, AN, RIS reflection coefficient matrix, and radar receive beamformer. Successive convex approximation (SCA) and Majorization-Minimization (MM) are employed to convexify the beamforming and RIS sub-problems. Simulations are conducted to showcase the effectiveness of the proposed framework against established benchmarks.