Timing and Carrier Synchronization in Wireless Communication Systems: A Survey and Classification of Research in the Last 5 Years

Timing and carrier synchronization is a fundamental requirement for any wireless communication system to work properly. Timing synchronization is the process by which a receiver node determines the correct instants of time at which to sample the incoming signal. Carrier synchronization is the process by which a receiver adapts the frequency and phase of its local carrier oscillator with those of the received signal. In this paper, we survey the literature over the last 5 years (2010–2014) and present a comprehensive literature review and classification of the recent research progress in achieving timing and carrier synchronization in single-input single-output (SISO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), cooperative relaying, and multiuser/multicell interference networks. Considering both single-carrier and multi-carrier communication systems, we survey and categorize the timing and carrier synchronization techniques proposed for the different communication systems focusing on the system model assumptions for synchronization, the synchronization challenges, and the state-of-the-art synchronization solutions and their limitations. Finally, we envision some future research directions

Frequency offset estimation for IFDMA uplink systems

This paper proposes two frequency offset estimation algorithms for the uplink of an Interleaved Frequency-Division Multiple-Access (IFDMA) system. One algorithm performs estimation in the frequency domain and the other in the time domain. Both algorithms are based on the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) principle and use knowledge about pilot symbols. IFDMA utilizes a block-interleaved frequency allocation scheme to exploit the frequency diversity of the channel. In the presence of frequency offsets between users, multiple-access interference (MAI) appears, which has a negative impact on existing frequency offset estimation algorithms. The proposed algorithms are robust, since a special construction of pilot symbols allows to exclude a large amount of MAI in the presence of frequency offsets between users. As a result, the proposed time domain frequency estimation algorithm outperforms the frequency domain algorithm and all other known schemes

JOINT TIMING SYNCHRONIZATION AND CHANNEL ESTIMATION USING PERFECT SEQUENCE IN UPLINK TIME DOMAIN SYNCHRONOUS OFDMA

Time Domain Synchronous Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (TDS-OFDMA) is used in mobile broadband wireless access scheme in uplink transmission. This leads to multiple user interference due to timing offset and frequency offset. In this paper, the effect of timing offset and channel estimation in mobile broadband system is analysed. Time-space two dimensional structure is used in TDS-OFDMA and perfect sequence is used for guard interval to achieve perfect timing synchronization and channel estimation for each user. Simulations are performed for timing synchronization and channel estimation using perfect sequence under Urban channel, Indoor Office B channel and HIPER LAN-A channel. Simulation results show that the timing synchronization is achieved and channel estimation performance using perfect sequence is better than CAZAC and PN Sequences