Training-based synchronization for quantity-based modulation in inverse Gaussian channels

In time-slotted molecular communication systems, clock synchronization between transmitter and receiver is crucial. In this paper, training-based synchronization schemes in a molecular communication system with quantity-based modulation are proposed by utilizing the information of arrival times of molecules. For timing offset estimation, three estimators are proposed, including maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), unbiased linear estimation (ULE), and iterative ULE. For clock skew estimation, two algorithms, arithmetic mean estimation and weighted mean estimation, are proposed. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed estimators are effective.