Frequency offset correction for OFDM using a blind adaptive decorrelator in a time-variant selective Rayleigh fading channel

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is believed to be an important technique for future high-speed wireline and wireless communications. One of the major disadvantages of such a multi-carrier modulated system is the sensitivity of its performance to a frequency offset. The frequency offset can result from a Doppler shift due to mobile movement as well as from a carrier frequency synchronization error. Such a frequency offset causes a loss of the carriers' orthogonality, and hence inter carrier interference (ICI). We propose the use of a blind adaptive decorrelator to correct for the effects of the frequency offset. As no training sequence is required there is no loss in bandwidth efficiency. Simulation results for time-variant frequency selective Rayleigh fading channels are presented.