CDMA delay estimation using fast ICA algorithm

In this paper, we propose a method for timing acquisition in a code division multiple access (CDMA) system. The assumptions made are that the data signals corresponding to different users are independent, and that a minor pilot sequence corresponding to the desired user is available. An independent component analysis (ICA) approach based on a fast fixed-point algorithm is used for simultaneous demodulation of the symbol sequence and finding of synchronisation information of the user of interest; no additional pilot signal is used for the timing acquisition. Our method shows better performance than conventional CMOE receiver and matched filter detector.