Rapid acquisition algorithms for synchronization of bursty transmissions in CDMA microcellular and personal wireless systems

Two rapid synchronization acquisition algorithms applicable to spread spectrum links of code division multiple access (CDMA) personal communication systems are proposed and evaluated. The algorithms operate within a self-referencing matched filter synchronizer structure, and are particularly useful in reducing synchronization overhead on links designed to carry packet-type services. The main distinguishing characteristic between the two schemes is that one uses hard-decision while the other uses soft-decision detection. The proposed schemes are especially applicable to reverse link transmissions in quasisynchronous CDMA systems in which timing at portable terminals is established via pilot and synchronization signals received on respective code-division channels from the home base. If discontinuous (bursty) transmission is used on reverse links, the acquisition process is required for each transmission burst because of the propagation time uncertainty. Analysis of the algorithms on additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and Rayleigh fading channels reveals that their performance depends significantly on the choice of synchronizer parameters and the average despread signal-to-interference ratio (SIR). When this choice is proper, acquisition over a single preamble of relatively short duration can be achieved with high probability. The soft-decision scheme introduces a performance advantage of between 4-9 dB depending on the length of the synchronizing preamble.