Maximum-likelihood sequence estimation is often used to recover digital sig
nals transmitted over finite memory convolutive channels when an estimate o
f the channel is available. In this letter, we study the impact of channel
estimation errors on the quality of sequence detection. The general case of
single input multiple output (SIMO) channels is considered. An asymptotic
upper bound for the symbol error rate is presented, which allows us to trea
t channel estimation errors as equivalent to losses in signal-to-noise rati
o (SNR). This relationship is studied and numerically validated for the sta
ndard least squares channel estimate.