A method of estimating channel statistics includes storing a plurality of pilot symbols from a plurality of received signals, establishing a reference for correlation; computing instantaneous correlations for each time lag of each of the plurality of pilot symbols relative to the reference, providing a table comprising non-isotropic scattering correlation values, computing current refined correlations using previous refined correlations and instantaneous correlations, comparing current refined correlations to the table of correlation values, and choosing correlation values from the table based on the step of comparing current refined correlations to the table.