On Synchronization in OFDM Systems Using the Cyclic Prefix

Abstract – In this paper, we present a data-based method for simultaneous Maximum Likelihood (ML) symbol timing and carrier-frequency offset estimation in Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. The cyclic extension, a guardspace preceding OFDM frames, is of decisive importance for this method. It is shown that the redundancy introduced by this cyclic extension allows the estimation to be performed without additional pilots. Simulations show that the performance of the frequency estimator is usable in a tracking mode while the timing estimation can be used in an acquisition mode.