Robust Timing Synchronization for Multicarrier Systems Based on RST Invariance

In this paper, a blind robust timing synchronization method, based on invariance properties and cyclostationarity, for multicarrier systems such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is proposed and evaluated. Its results outperform the state-of-the-art for blind methods, specially in hard wireless channels where our proposal is highly superior. It even surpasses the performance of most of non-blind (pilot-aided) methods, while at the same time, it gets the advantages of energy and bandwidth saving of blind proposals. Moreover, since this technique does not require the use of pilots, it can be easily applied to either packet-based or broadcasting systems.