A novel frequency-domain frame synchronization algorithm for digital communication systems

A novel frequency-domain frame synchronization algorithm based on phase-only FFT operation is proposed and studied. Compared to the conventional time-domain approach based on sliding correlation detection, the proposed phase-only FFT algorithm is shown to be capable of achieving considerable performance advantage in channels with linear phase variation, as well as in Rayleigh fading channels. In addition, it is also shown to enjoy significantly lower computational complexity.