Synchronization for the environment of OFDM cooperative communications based on preamble design and phase rotation

Timing and carrier frequency offset estimation are critical issue for OFDM cooperative communications. In view of the complexity and high accuracy requirement, 1/2 and 1/4 pilot symbol cycle CAZAC sequence structures are defined as the pilot frequency sequence. Estimation within one symbol cycle is carried out through averaging samples of two neighboring symbol cycles, after which the operation is expanded to all the symbol cycles in one band group. Taking multipath effect into account, the concept of phase rotation is proposed for a further step. Adjust the phase difference of estimated symbols by phase rotation, and cross estimation could be done. Meanwhile, timing scheme works within one cycle training sequence. Theoretical and simulation analysis indicate that CRLB does not only relate to estimation symbol length, but also be influenced by phase difference of estimation symbols seriously. In the condition that the length of estimation is fixed, the bigger the phase rotation angle is, the smaller the CRLB is. The complexity of proposed algorithm is less than full cycle average estimation method for almost 50%. Meanwhile, the estimation accuracy is approximate with the full cycle average estimation method as well. Timing scheme with the defined preamble structure is also proposed. Simulation proves its efficiency.