Multi-Task Learning for Joint Indoor Localization and Blind Channel Estimation in OFDM Systems

In contemporary wireless communication systems, achieving precise localization of communicating devices and accurate channel estimation is crucial for enhancing operational efficiency and reliability. This study introduces a novel approach that integrates the localization task and channel estimation into a single framework. We present a multi-task neural network architecture capable of simultaneously estimating channels from multiple base stations in a blind manner while estimating user terminal coordinates in given indoor environments. This approach exploits the relationship between channel characteristics and spatial information, using the same channel state information (CSI) data to perform both tasks with a single model. We evaluate the proposed solution, assessing its effectiveness across differing antenna spacing configurations and indoor test environments using both WiFi and 5G orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. The results show performance benefits, achieving comparable channel estimation results to other studies while simultaneously providing a localization estimate, resulting in reduced model overhead while leveraging spatial context. The presented system demonstrates potential to improve the efficiency of communication systems in real-world applications, aligning with the goals of emerging integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) systems. Results based on experimental data using the proposed solution show a 50th percentile localization error of 1.62 m for 3-tap channels and 0.89 m for 10-tap channels.