In-Band-Interference Robust Synchronization Algorithm for an NC-OFDM System

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new preamble-based synchronization algorithm for NC-OFDM systems that effectively estimates time and frequency offsets even in the presence of in-band interference, outperforming existing methods.

Contribution

The proposed algorithm is robust against in-band interference and improves synchronization accuracy compared to existing algorithms, with increased complexity.

Findings

Enhanced robustness against in-band interference.

Improved probability of frame synchronization in interference-free scenarios.

Outperforms existing algorithms in simulations.

Abstract

We consider receiver synchronization in the non-continguous orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (NC-OFDM)-based radio system in the presence of in-band interfering signal, which occupies the frequency-band between blocks of subcarriers (SCs) used by this system, i.e. in-band of NC-OFDM receiver spectrum range. This paper proposes a novel preamble-based synchronization algorithm for estimation of the time and frequency offset based on the received signal cross-correlation with the reference preamble. Contrary to the existing algorithms, it is robust against in-band interference including narrowband interference at the cost of increased complexity. Moreover, in the interference-free system, the probability of frame synchronization error is improved in comparison to all simulated algorithms.