Timing synchronization and channel estimation of a Constant Pilot Padding OFDM system

In this paper, we propose a Constant Pilot Padding Method (CPPM) that can perform both the timing synchronization and channel estimation in the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems. The CPPM method exploits the repetitive structure of the preamble generated by inserting the constant pilots in the frequency domain to execute the timing synchronization. In addition, the CPPM method has the ability of channel estimation with these padding pilots. Compared with the conventional synchronization methods, such as the S&C method and the Park’s method, the preamble of the CPPM provides not only timing synchronization but also data transmission. Simulation results show that the proposed method is more precise and robust than the S&C method and the Park’s method.