Timing And Frequency Synchronization In Practical Ofdm Systems

Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) has been adopted by many broadband wireless communication systems for the simplicity of the receiver technique to support high data rates and user mobility. However, studies also show that the advantage of OFDM over the single-carrier modulation schemes could be substantially compromised by timing or frequency estimation errors at the receiver. In this thesis we investigate the synchronization problem for practical OFDM systems using a system model generalized from the IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.16 standards. For preamble based synchronization schemes, which are most common in the downlink of wireless communication systems, we propose a novel timing acquisition algorithm which minimizes false alarm probability and indirectly improves correct detection probability. We then introduce a universal fractional carrier frequency offset (CFO) estimator that outperforms conventional methods at low signal to noise ratio with lower complexity. More accurate timing and frequency estimates can be obtained by our proposed frequency-domain algorithms incorporating channel knowledge. We derive four joint frequency, timing, and channel estimators with different approximations, and then propose a hybrid integer CFO estimation scheme to provide flexible performance and complexity tradeoffs. When the exact channel delay profile is unknown at the receiver, we present a successive timing estimation algorithm to solve the timing ambiguity. Both analytical and simulation results are presented to confirm the performance of the proposed methods in various realistic channel conditions. ...

Wireless networking technologies are witnessed to become the integral part of industry, business, entertainment and daily life. Encyclopedia of Wireless Networks is expected to provide comprehensive references to key concepts of wireless networks, including research results of historical significance, areas of current interests, and growing directions in the future wireless networks. It can serve as a valuable and authoritative literature for students, researchers, engineers, and practitioners who need a quick reference to the subjects of wireless network technology and its relevant applications. Areas covered: 5G Network | Editors: Rahim Tafazolli, Rose Hu Ad hoc Network | Editor: Cheng Li Big Data for Networking | Editor: Song Guo Cellular Network, 2G/3G Network, 4G/LTE Network | Editor: Hsiao-hwa Chen Cognitive Radio Network | Editor: Ning Zhang Cooperative Communications | Editor: Kaoru Ota Cyber Physical Systems | Editor: Shiyan Hu Data Center Network | Editor: Lei Lei Delay Tolerant and Opportunistic Network | Editor: Yuanguo Bi Equalization, Synchronization and Channel Estimation | Editor: Yingying Chen Future Network Architecture | Editor: Wei Quan Game Theory in Wireless Network | Editor: Dusit Niyato Interference Characterization and Mitigation | Editor: Lin Cai Internet of Things | Editors: Xiuzhen Cheng, Wei Cheng Internet of Things and its Applications | Editor: Phone Lin Interworking Heterogeneous Wireless Network | Editor: Ping Wang Medium Access Control | Editors: Hassan Omar, Qiang Ye Millimeter-wave Communications | Editor: Ming Xiao MIMO-based Network | Editor: Prof. Wei Zhang Mobility Management and Models | Editors: Sandra Cespedes, Sangheon Pack Molecular, Biological and Multi-scale Communications | Editor: Adam Noel Network Economics and pricing | Editors: Jianwei Huang, Yuan Luo Network Forensics and surveillance, Fault Tolerance and Reliability | Editor: Hongwei Li Network Measurement and Virtualization | Editor: Yusheng Ji Quality of Service, Quality of Experience and Quality of Protection | Editors: Rui Luis Aguiar, Yu Cheng Resource Allocation and Management | Editors: Junshan Zhang, Nan Cheng Routing and Multi-cast, Router and Switch Design | Editor: Richard Yu Scaling Laws and Fundamental Limits | Editor: Ning Lu Security, Privacy and Trust | Editor: Kui Ren Short Range Communications, RFID and NFC | Editor: Zhiguo Shi Smart Grid Communications | Editor: Vincent W. S. Wong Vehicular Network | Editors: Lian Zhao, Qing Yang Video Streaming | Editor: Zhi Liu Wireless Body Area Network and e-healthcare | Editor: Honggang Wang Wireless Security | Editors: Haojin Zhu, Jian Shen Wireless Sensor Network | Editors: Jiming Chen, Ruilong Deng WLAN and OFDM | Editor: Xianbin Wang

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) due to its appealing features, such as robustness against frequency selective fading and simple channel equalization, is adopted in communications systems such as WLAN, WiMAX and DVB. However, OFDM systems are sensitive to synchronization errors caused by timing and frequency offsets. Besides, the OFDM receiver has to perform channel estimation for coherent detection. The goal of this thesis is to investigate new methods for timing and frequency synchronization and channel estimation in OFDM-based systems. First, we investigate new methods for preamble-aided coarse timing estimation in OFDM systems. Two novel timing metrics using high order statistics-based correlation and differential normalization functions are proposed. The performance of the new timing metrics is evaluated using different criteria including class-separability, robustness to the carrier frequency offset, and computational complexity. It is shown that the new timing metrics can considerably increase the class-separability due to their more distinct values at correct and wrong timing instants, and thus give a significantly better detection performance than the existing timing metrics do. Furthermore, a new method for coarse estimation of the start of the frame is proposed, which remarkably reduces the probability of inter-symbol interference (ISI). The improved performances of the new schemes in multipath fading channels are shown by the probabilities of false alarm, missed-detection and ISI obtained through computer simulations. Second, a novel pilot-aided algorithm is proposed for the detection of integer frequency offset (IFO) in OFDM systems. By transforming the IFO into two new integer parameters, the proposed method can largely reduce the number of trial values for the true IFO. The two new integer parameters are detected using two different pilot sequences, a periodic pilot sequence and an aperiodic pilot sequence. It is shown that the new scheme can significantly reduce the computational complexity while achieving almost the same performance as the previous methods do. Third, we propose a method for joint timing and frequency synchronization and channel estimation for OFDM systems that operate in doubly selective channels. Basis expansion modeling (BEM) that captures the time variations of the channel is used to reduce the number of unknown channel parameters. The BEM coefficients along with the timing and frequency offsets are estimated by using a maximum likelihood (ML) approach. An efficient algorithm is then proposed for reducing the computational complexity of the joint estimation. The complexity of the new method is assessed in terms of the number of multiplications. The mean square estimation error of the proposed method is evaluated in comparison with previous methods, indicating a remarkable performance improvement by the new method. Fourth, we present a new scheme for joint estimation of CFO and doubly selective channel in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing systems. In the proposed preamble-aided method, the time-varying channel is represented using BEM. CFO and BEM coefficients are estimated using the principles of particle and Kalman filtering. The performance of the new method in multipath time-varying channels is investigated in comparison with previous schemes. The simulation results indicate a remarkable performance improvement in terms of the mean square errors of CFO and channel estimates. Fifth, a novel algorithm is proposed for timing and frequency synchronization and channel estimation in the uplink of orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems by considering high-mobility situations and the generalized subcarrier assignment. By using BEM to represent a doubly selective channel, a maximum likelihood (ML) approach is proposed to jointly estimate the timing and frequency offsets of different users as well as the BEM coefficients of the time-varying channels. A space-alternating generalized expectation-maximization algorithm is then employed to transform the maximization problem for all users into several simpler maximization problems for each user. The computational complexity of the new timing and frequency offset estimator is analyzed and its performance in comparison with that of existing methods using the mean square error is evaluated . Finally, two novel approaches for joint CFO and doubly selective channel estimation in the uplink of multiple-input multiple-output orthogonal frequency division multiple access (MIMO-OFDMA) systems are presented. Considering high-mobility situations, where channels change within an OFDMA symbol interval, and the time varying nature of CFOs, BEM is employed to represent the time variations of the channel. Two new approaches are then proposed based on Schmidt Kalman filtering (SKF). The first approach utilizes Schmidt extended Kalman filtering for each user to estimate the CFO and BEM coefficients. The second approach uses Gaussian particle filter along with SKF to estimate the CFO and BEM coefficients of each user. The Bayesian Cramer Rao bound is derived, and performance of the new schemes are evaluated using mean square error. It is demonstrated that the new schemes can significantly improve the mean square error performance in comparison with that of the existing methods.

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) or Multi-carrier Modulation (MCM) is a digital modulation technique that supports high-rate data with sufficient robustness to radio channel impairments (especially multi-path propagation). Due to that, it is emerging as the modulation technique used for the new generation of wireless communication systems (IEEE802.11a and DVB-T). However, one of the arguments against OFDM is that it is highly sensitive to synchronization errors. This raises up the need for optimum synchronization algorithms for OFDM applications such as IEEE802.11a and DVB-T. In this thesis, several synchronization algorithms are presented. Those algorithms deal mainly with two important synchronization problems: Timing and frequency errors and their consequences. We focus on the implementation aspects of synchronization algorithms and propose optimizations which lead to well performing and robust fixed point implementations. In addition, complexity and cost needed for such a project are analyzed leading to a model for classifying different algorithms depending on cost, time-to-market, and performance.

"Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is being used in many recent communication systems to cope with the demand for high data rate applications. It provides a significant improvement in the bandwidth efficiency with simple equalization at the receiver. ODFM systems provide high immunity against multipath fading and inter symbol interference (ISI) since the high data rate stream is divided among narrow overlapping but orthogonal subcarriers. However, OFDM requires accurate timing and frequency synchronization to preserve the orthogonality between subcarriers and maintain acceptable performance. Achieving accurate synchronization is a challenging task in multicarrier systems such as OFDM. It is noticed that frequency synchronization is more critical in OFDM than timing synchronization since a small frequency offset can destroy the orthogonality among the subcarriers causing inter-carrier interference (ICI), which results in serious performance degradation. In this thesis, the effect of frequency offset on OFDM system performance is investigated and a new synchronization scheme based on the Double Dwell System (DDS) is proposed. In DDS, the frequency offset estimation is carried over two stages: a coarse estimate is obtained over the first stage followed by a fine estimate in the second stage. The system performance is evaluated in terms of the mean square error (MSE) and symbol error rate (SER) and is compared to the conventional Single Dwell System (SDS). Simulation results show a significant performance improvement in the proposed method over SDS. Other results are presented in this thesis such as interference impact, pilot symbol design, optimization of search window and step size, and mitigation of fading effects."--Abstract.

The book is a collection of academician Yanzhong Zhang’s research papers published in English. It represents the development of aerospace systems engineering and information technology in China over the past 4 decades. Regarded as the crucial reference materials of related disciplines, it falls into three categories, namely, information technique, aeronautical engineering strategy issue of development, as well as PhD thesis.

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing for Wireless Communications is an edited volume with contributions by leading authorities in the subject of OFDM. Its coverage consists of principles, important wireless topics (e.g. Synchronization, channel estimation, etc.) and techniques. Included is information for advancing wireless communication in a multipath environment with an emphasis on implementation of OFDM in base stations. Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing for Wireless Communications provides a comprehensive introduction of the theory and practice of OFDM. To facilitate the readers, extensive subject indices and references are given at the end of the book. Even though each chapter is written by different experts, symbols and notations in all chapters of the book are consistent.

This practical guide helps readers to learn how to develop and implement synchronization functions in digital communication systems.