A novel adaptive algorithm for generalized synchronization

We investigate a novel criterion for generalized synchronization that relies on the ability to characterize the synchronized signal in terms of a target probability density function (pdf). This pdf can be written in terms of the synchronization parameters so as to yield a target likelihood that can be maximized, hence the name maximum target likelihood (MTL) estimation for the proposed technique. After a brief description of the basics of the MTL principle, the criterion is applied to the joint adaptive recovery of the timing, phase offset, and received signal amplitude in a transmission system with QPSK modulation and raised-cosine pulse waveforms. We present computer simulations that show a performance improvement with respect to classical techniques based on maximum likelihood (ML) estimation for medium signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values and impulsive background noise.