Timing synchronization for ATSC DTV receivers using the Nyquist sidebands

Gardner's timing method for BPSK or QPSK is actually one of the timing methods using the Nyquist sidebands. However, it requires at least two samples per symbol; and it is more suitable for two-level modulations. This paper presents another timing synchronization method that is suitable for ATSC DTV receivers, in which 8-VSB modulation is used. The correlation of both arms of the VSB signal is exploited. The S-curve of the proposed method is derived. Derivation shows the proposed method is also using the Nyquist sidebands. It can estimate the timing error even at symbol-rate. Simulations show the proposed method has good performance even in multi-path conditions.