A rapid synchronization method is presented for an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) system using either a continuous transmission or a burst operation over a frequency-selective channel. The presence of a signal can be detected upon the receipt of just one training sequence of two symbols. The start of the frame and the beginning of the symbol can be found, and carrier frequency offsets of many subchannels spacings can be corrected. The algorithms operate near the Cramer-Rao lower bound for the variance of the frequency offset estimate, and the inherent averaging over many subcarriers allows acquisition at very low signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs).

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Robust frequency and timing synchronization for OFDM

We present the joint maximum likelihood (ML) symbol-time and carrier-frequency offset estimator in orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. Redundant information contained within the cyclic prefix enables this estimation without additional pilots. Simulations show that the frequency estimator may be used in a tracking mode and the time estimator in an acquisition mode.

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ML estimation of time and frequency offset in OFDM systems

We present and analyze low-rank channel estimators for orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems using the frequency correlation of the channel. Low-rank approximations based on the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) have been proposed, but these suffer from poor performance when the channel is not sample spaced. We apply the theory of optimal rank-reduction to linear minimum mean-squared error (LMMSE) estimators and show that these estimators, when using a fixed design, are robust to changes in channel correlation and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The performance is presented in terms of uncoded symbol-error rate (SER) for a system using 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM).

/pdf/ofdm-channel-estimation-by-singular-value-decomposition-2q9twaj1cb.pdf

OFDM channel estimation by singular value decomposition

Channel estimation techniques for OFDM systems based on a pilot arrangement are investigated. Channel estimation based on a comb type pilot arrangement is studied through different algorithms for both estimating the channel at pilot frequencies and interpolating the channel. Channel estimation at pilot frequencies is based on LS and LMS methods while channel interpolation is done using linear interpolation, second order interpolation, low-pass interpolation, spline cubic interpolation, and time domain interpolation. Time-domain interpolation is obtained by passing to the time domain by means of IDFT (inverse discrete Fourier transform), zero padding and going back to the frequency domain by DFT (discrete Fourier transform). In addition, channel estimation based on a block type pilot arrangement is performed by sending pilots in every sub-channel and using this estimation for a specific number of following symbols. We have also implemented a decision feedback equalizer for all sub-channels followed by periodic block-type pilots. We have compared the performances of all schemes by measuring bit error rates with 16QAM, QPSK, DQPSK and BPSK as modulation schemes, and multipath Rayleigh fading and AR based fading channels as channel models.

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Channel estimation techniques based on pilot arrangement in OFDM systems

Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation is a promising technique for achieving the high bit rates required for a wireless multimedia service. Without channel estimation and tracking, OFDM systems have to use differential phase-shift keying (DPSK), which has a 3-dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) loss compared with coherent phase-shift keying (PSK). To improve the performance of OFDM systems by using coherent PSK, we investigate robust channel estimation for OFDM systems. We derive a minimum mean-square-error (MMSE) channel estimator, which makes full use of the time- and frequency-domain correlations of the frequency response of time-varying dispersive fading channels. Since the channel statistics are usually unknown, we also analyze the mismatch of the estimator-to-channel statistics and propose a robust channel estimator that is insensitive to the channel statistics. The robust channel estimator can significantly improve the performance of OFDM systems in a rapid dispersive fading channel.

Robust channel estimation for OFDM systems with rapid dispersive fading channels

The use of multi-amplitude signaling schemes in wireless OFDM systems requires the tracking of the fading radio channel. The paper addresses channel estimation based on time-domain channel statistics. Using a general model for a slowly fading channel, the authors present the MMSE and LS estimators and a method for modifications compromising between complexity and performance. The symbol error rate for a 18-QAM system is presented by means of simulation results. Depending upon estimator complexity, up to 4 dB in SNR can be gained over the LS estimator.

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On channel estimation in OFDM systems

In this paper we analyze the performance of three low-complexity channel estimators, based on the discrete Fourier transform (DFT), for orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. Estimators of this type have been analyzed for discrete-time channels, and we extend this analysis to continuous-time channels. We present analytical expressions for their mean-squared error (MSE) and evaluate their complexity vs. symbol-error rate (SER) for 16-QAM. The analysis shows that this type of estimators may experience an irreducible error floor at high SNRs. However, in one of the three estimators the error floor can be eliminated while the complexity stays low and the performance is maximized.

/pdf/analysis-of-dft-based-channel-estimators-for-ofdm-1q3imia7d3.pdf

Analysis of DFT-Based Channel Estimators for OFDM

Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems have gained an increased interest due to their use in wireless applications such as mobile communication systems. A novel data-based frame synchronization method for OFDM-systems is presented. OFDM frames are shown to contain sufficient information to synchronize a system without the use of pilots. The cyclic extension, preceding OFDM frames, is of decisive importance for this method. Based on only the sign bits of the in-phase and the quadrature components of the received OFDM signal, the maximum likelihood solution is derived. This solution basically consists of a correlator, a moving sum and a peak detector. The stability of the generated frame-clock is improved significantly by averaging over a few number of frames. Simulations show that this low-complex, averaging method can be used to synchronize an OFDM system on twisted pair copper wires and in slowly fading radio channels.

/pdf/low-complex-frame-synchronization-in-ofdm-systems-373wuk1xyf.pdf

Magnus Sandell

Papers

ML estimation of time and frequency offset in OFDM systems

On channel estimation in OFDM systems

OFDM channel estimation by singular value decomposition

Analysis of DFT-Based Channel Estimators for OFDM

Low-complex frame synchronization in OFDM systems