The channel estimator includes a plurality of correlating sections configured to calculate a plurality of time correlation values between the signal and a plurality of known pattern signals having different code lengths, an analyzing section configured to output a control signal representing a selected period for extracting a preferable correlation output from the output from each of the plurality of correlating sections, and a delay profile generating section configured to output a delay profile obtained by adaptively selecting or combining parts of the outputs from the plurality of correlating sections based on the output from the analyzing section.