Two-step Timing Synchronization Algorithm for OFDM Systems

In order to improve the accuracy of timing estimation, the paper proposed a Two-step timing synchronization algorithm based on the Schmidl & Cox algorithm for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems. The first step is to design a new training symbol frame structure without cyclic prefixes, that makes the timing metrics without peak plateau and reduces the ambiguity of the timing estimation. Secondly, the timing method that utilizes the receiving sequence and local sequence cross-correlation operation makes the timing estimation more accurate. Simulation results for mean square error (MSE) and bit error rate (BER) demonstrate that the proposed algorithm reduces the timing estimation error and improves the OFDM systems performance.