A Novel Timing Synchronization Method for OFDM-Based UWA Systems

Symbol timing synchronization is of essential significance in the performance of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems. On the basis of symmetric sequences, the current study investigated a timing synchronization method intended for the OFDM system, which was applied to the underwater acoustic (UWA). As a consequence, a dramatic peak at the timing-correct location was generated by a superior pulse-like timing metric, although other components' values were marginal. Besides, the performance of the timing synchronization method was evaluated through computer simulation of the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), whose results indicated that the proposed method was superior to the typical Park method in Gaussian white noise channel environment.