Applying frequency estimation in WCDMA

We analyze the performance of a modified Kuo-Fitz frequency estimator constituting part of an AFC system in a WCDMA handset. We assume a traditional rake receiver with a limited number of fingers. We analyze the autocorrelation based frequency estimator in both flat and frequency selective fading. Insights are provided for additional specular (Ricean) components and for the combination of information from several propagation paths from one or more basestations. We conclude that it is possible to use the autocorrelation phase information for the two consecutive delays of the channel estimates when the maximum estimation range is ±1500 Hz, and that we can combine the autocorrelation for individual propagation paths (rake fingers). However, this is not always true for soft handover.