A hybrid joint ML technique for CFO,timing offset,and channel estimations in an OFDMA uplink

In this paper, we propose a novel hybrid joint maximum‐likelihood estimator for carrier frequency offset (CFO), timing offset, and channel response of all users in the uplink of an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system. The proposed estimation method significantly reduces complexity of this multiparameter, multidimensional optimization problem, using the concept of separation of the different user signals by means of newly defined projection operators. This projection technique is combined with the alternating projection method available in the literature to arrive at a new hybrid algorithm that offers significant performance advantages in terms of computational complexity and estimator performance. The joint estimation of the CFOs, timing offsets, and channel coefficients for all active users together at the base station of the OFDMA uplink is a rarely addressed task. The proposed method also offers the flexibility of application to any subcarrier assignment scheme used in OFDMA systems. Extensive simulation studies corroborate the advantages of the new hybrid method for all three estimation requirements in the multiuser OFDMA uplink. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Firefly Algorithm for Joint Estimation of Frequency Offsets and Channel in OFDMA Uplink

This paper addresses the problem of joint maximum-likelihood estimation of carrier frequency offsets, and channel responses in an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) uplink, which is a computationally-intensive, multiparameter, multidimensional problem. We propose to apply a recently-developed meta-heuristic algorithm called the firefly algorithm (FA) for the estimation of required parameters. We also introduce a new initialization procedure for the FA algorithm based on the separability of cost functions, which drastically reduces its computational complexity. A separate pilot OFDMA symbol is transmitted prior to the data symbols to estimate the parameters. The proposed technique is shown to achieve excellent performance at reduced computational complexity, especially at low signal-to-noise ratio. Also, it can be applied to OFDMA systems with any type of carrier assignment schemes. The significant features of the proposed estimation method are substantiated through extensive computer simulation studies and are compared with an important classical estimation technique available for the problem, to highlight its superiority.     

基于MUSIC和ML方法的MIMO系统参数估计

该文提出了一种基于MUSIC和ML方法联合估计MIMO系统频偏和信道增益的算法,该算法首先使用MUSIC方法估计出多个发射天线到某一接收天线的频偏子集,然后利用最大似然方法在这个有限子集中分离出不同天线对之间的频偏,最后在频率同步的基础上利用最大似然估计器对信道增益进行估计。该算法解决了在估计多个频偏时直接使用最大似然估计进行多维搜索的问题,将多维搜索转化为一维搜索,降低了算法的复杂度。     

两根分布式接收天线载波频偏的联合估计

该文在平坦瑞利衰落信道下,针对一根发射天线、两根分布式接收天线场景,提出了一种缩小频率搜索范围的最大似然准则载波频偏联合估计方法。该方法利用载波频率、收发天线晶振精度和移动台最大运动速度的先验信息,确定了两个载波频偏之差的取值区间;联合各接收天线的相关值滑动此取值区间进行搜索,相比已有方法缩小了搜索范围。仿真结果表明,在信噪比为5 dB,载波频率为2 GHz,发射天线晶振精度为10 ppm,接收天线晶振精度为1 ppm,移动台最大运动速度为120 km/h的条件下,载波频偏联合估计的均方误差性能高出已有方法一个数量级。     

Symbol Detection of IDMA Systems in the Presence of Carrier Frequency Offsets

In this paper we investigate the detection algorithms for interleave division multiple access (IDMA) systems in the presence of carrier frequency offsets (CFOs). The existing IDMA detection algorithm is designed under the zero CFO assumption and its performance will be degraded when the CFOs are present. We first extend the existing algorithm to the nonzero CFO case by utilizing effective channel coefficients which take the CFO effects into account. Then we turn to a more practical scenario with imperfect CFO estimates. We propose an algorithm that can cope with the residual CFO effects by integrating the CFO updating into the iterative receiver. Signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio analysis and simulations show the feasibility and superiority of our proposed algorithms.     

Deterministic multiuser carrier-frequency offset estimation for interleaved OFDMA uplink

In orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), closely spaced multiple subcarriers are assigned to different users for parallel signal transmission. An interleaved subcarrier-assignment scheme is preferred because it provides maximum frequency diversity and increases the capacity in frequency-selective fading channels. The subcarriers are overlapping, but orthogonal to each other such that there is no intercarrier interference (ICI). Carrier-frequency offsets (CFOs) between the transmitter and the receiver destroy the orthogonality and introduces ICI, resulting in multiple-access interference. This paper exploits the inner structure of the signals for CFO estimation in the uplink of interleaved OFDMA systems. A new uplink signal model is presented, and an estimation algorithm based on the signal structure is proposed for estimating the CFOs of all users using only one OFDMA block. Diversity schemes are also presented to improve the estimation performance. Simulation results illustrate the high accuracy and efficiency of the proposed algorithm.     

Estimation of synchronization impairments in multi-relay DF cooperative networks

Cooperative communication systems can effectively increase channel capacity and combat fading. Effective cooperation requires synchronization impairments such as multiple timing offsets and multiple carrier frequency offsets to be accurately estimated and mitigated. This paper seeks to address the joint estimation of synchronization impairments in multi-relay decode-and-forward （DF） cooperative networks. Firstly, a simple yet effective estimation method based on the devised training signals is presented for achieving synchronization. Then, an iterative algorithm is further derived in order to improve the performance associated with the estimation of synchronization impairments. Our proposed algorithm converts the difficult multiple parameter estimation problem into more tractable sub-problems of estimating many individual impairments pairs for the independent relays. Simulations indicate that, the proposed estimator can asymptotically achieve the mean square error （MSE） for the perfectly timing or frequency synchronized case.     

Joint Time-Domain Tracking of Channel and Frequency Offsets for MIMO OFDM Systems

In this paper we address the problem of joint channel and frequency offset estimation and tracking in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) OFDM systems for mobile users. The proposed method stems from extended Kalman filtering and is suitable for time-frequency-space selective channels. Separate offset for each MIMO channel branch is considered because of the mobility and rich scattering. The channel taps and the frequency offsets are estimated in time-domain while the equalization is performed in frequency domain. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method tracks time-varying channels and frequency offsets with high fidelity. Realistic channel models are used in mobile scenarios. The proposed time-domain approach has improved performance and robustness in comparison to purely frequency domain processing. Computational complexity is lower as well.     

Joint Estimation of the Timing and Frequency Offset for Uplink OFDMA

Inheriting all the advantages of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), plus the ability to offer a fine level of bit granularity and dynamic subcarrier allocation for multiuser diversity, the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) has emerged as a potential candidate for multiple access technique for future broadband wireless networks. However, the benefits of OFDMA come with stringent requirements on synchronization, especially in the uplink. Unless the timing offsets (TOs) and carrier frequency offsets (CFOs) among users in the uplink are kept under tolerable ranges, inter-symbol interference (ISI), inter-channel interference (ICI) and multi-user interference (MUI) will occur, which degrade the overall system performance severely. Accurate estimation of TOs and CFOs is required for each user, so that they can be accounted for at the user’s side or compesated for at the base station. This paper proposes a novel method to estimate jointly TOs and CFOs in the time-domain for multi-user in the OFDMA uplink. The method is shown to offer good accuracy, while maintaining a reasonable complexity compared to conventional estimation schemes.     

Multiuser carrier frequency offsets estimation for OFDMA uplink with generalized carrier assignment scheme

The frequency synchronization issue of multiuser in the uplink of an orthogonal frequency-division multiple-access (OFDMA) system is investigated in this letter. We develop a subspace based blind carrier frequency offsets (CFOs) estimation algorithm for the base station (BS) equipped with uniform linear array (ULA). Due to the adoption of ULA at the BS and the narrowband signal assumption, CFOs of different users can be separated by their spatial information. Thus, unlike existing blind alternatives, which are subject to some specific carrier assignment schemes (CAS) or rely on null subcarriers, our proposed method can support generalized carrier assignment scheme (GCAS) and fully loaded systems, i.e., all subcarriers are available to users. Consequently, the dynamic channel assignment is available and the bandwidth efficiency is higher. Moreover, the closed-form directions of arrival (DOAs) of all active users are also obtained, which can be used in downlink beamforming in frequency division duplex (FDD) systems. Performance of the proposed scheme is evaluated by computer Monte Carlo simulations.     

OFDM频偏信道联合估计算法

针对OFDM系统中频偏和信道联合估计问题进行了研究。为了克服单独估计的缺陷,提高精度,提出了一种低复杂度的频偏信道联合估计算法。该算法首先通过采用正交性质的恒包络零相关序列,运用最大似然法估计信道,提取频偏估计值,然后对信道结果进行修正,使之更接近真实信道。同时给出了频偏估计的克拉美罗界。仿真结果表明,相比于最小二乘联合估计法,本文算法估计均方误差更小,具有更好的估计性能。      

A simple iterative carrier frequency synchronization technique for OFDMA uplink transmissions

This paper examines the carrier frequency offset (CFO) estimation problem in the tile‐based orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) uplink systems, which is very challenging due to the presence of multiple CFOs. The existing solutions to this problem are either too complex to implement or not flexible in subcarrier allocation. To solve these problems, this paper proposes a tile‐structure based iterative multi‐CFO estimation technique. The proposed method is developed based on a special training sequence with repetitive structure. The inherent multi‐user interference (MUI) compression provided by the tile structure allows us to utilize the repetitive property of the training sequence to jointly estimate the CFOs in the frequency domain with low complexity. Combining the CFO estimation with an interference cancellation scheme and performing iteratively, the algorithm achieves high estimation accuracy and fast convergence. The proposed algorithm is suitable for any subcarrier assignment schemes. In addition, as compared with other existing time domain based algorithms, which achieve the Cramer Rao Bound (CRB) at the price of unaffordable complexity, it closely approaches their performance with over 70% computational saving, which is significantly important for practical implementation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sampling Frequency Offset Estimation for Pilot-Aided OFDM Systems in Mobile Environment

In orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems, most of the conventional sampling frequency offset (SFO) estimation methods work under the assumption of time-invariant or slow time-variant channels. In mobile environment, the time-variant channel significantly degrades the accuracy of SFO estimation. To solve the problem, we first analyze the properties of time-variant channels. If terminal moves within some tens of the wavelength of radio frequency (RF) signal, channel path delay almost remains unchanged. For most practical OFDM systems, our analysis indicates that channel path delay can be regarded as unchanged during the interval of some tens of OFDM symbols in time-variant channels. Based on the analysis, we propose a novel SFO estimation method for pilot-aided OFDM systems. Different from the conventional methods, the proposed method estimates SFO by detecting the variation of the symbol timing error caused by SFO. The detection is finished by implementing correlation between the channel impulse responses (CIRs) estimated by different OFDM symbols. Performance of the proposed method is simulated and compared with that of two conventional post-FFT methods. Numerical results show that, the proposed SFO estimation method performs better than the conventional methods not only in time-variant channels, but also at low SNRs and large residual carrier frequency offsets (CFOs).     

A novel non-data-aided symbol timing recovery technique for OFDM systems

A new highly efficient non-data-aided technique to recover symbol timing of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing systems is proposed. The algorithm in the proposed work exploits the interference that results due to the loss of orthogonality between subcarriers, where the second-order statistics of the resulting interference is proportional to the offset from the optimum sampling point. The presented technique does not require prior fine carrier synchronization, and it is capable of extracting symbol timing at low E/sub s//N/sub 0/ values with large carrier frequency offsets (CFOs). The system performance was investigated in multipath fading channels with large CFOs and additive white Gaussian noise.     

Structure-Based Low Complexity MMSE Channel Estimator for OFDM Wireless Systems

Wireless communication systems utilizing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmissions are capable of delivering high data rates over multipath frequency selective channels. This paper deals with joint estimation/interpolation of wireless channel using pilot symbols transmitted concurrently with the data. We propose a low complexity, spectrally efficient minimum mean square error channel estimator which exploits the correlation structure of channel frequency response for reducing the complexity. Specifically, it is shown that if pilots are inserted appropriately across OFDM subcarriers, the proposed algorithm requires no matrix inversion, thereby significantly relieving the computational burden without deteriorating the performance. Moreover, the knowledge of channel correlation is also not required for the proposed estimator. Simulation results validate that the proposed technique outperforms existing low-complexity variants in terms of mean square error and computational complexity.

     

Joint frequency offset and carrier phase estimation for the return channel for digital video broadcasting

This paper investigates the design of joint frequency offset and carrier phase estimation of a multi-frequency time division multiple access (MF-TDMA) demodulator that is applied to a digital video broadcasting-return channel system via satellite (DVB-RCS). The proposed joint estimation algorithm is based on the interpolation technique for two correlation values in the frequency and phase domains. This simple interpolation technique can significantly improve frequency and phase resolution capabilities of the proposed technique without increasing the number of the correlation values. In addition, the overall block diagram of a digital communications receiver for DVB-RCS is presented, which was designed using the proposed estimation algorithms.     

Joint Semiblind Frequency Offset and Channel Estimation for Multiuser MIMO-OFDM Uplink

A semiblind method is proposed for simultaneously estimating the carrier frequency offsets (CFOs) and channels of an uplink multiuser multiple-input multiple-output orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) system. By incorporating the CFOs into the transmitted symbols and channels, the MIMO-OFDM with CFO is remodeled into an MIMO-OFDM without CFO. The known blind method for channel estimation (Zeng and Ng in 2004) (Y. H. Zeng and T. S. Ng, ldquoA semi-blind channel estimation method for multi-user multi-antenna OFDM systems,rdquo IEEE Trans. Signal Process., vol. 52, no. 5, pp. 1419-1429, May 2004.) is then directly used for the remodeled system to obtain the shaped channels with an ambiguity matrix. A pilot OFDM block for each user is then exploited to resolve the CFOs and the ambiguity matrix. Two dedicated pilot designs, periodical and consecutive pilots, are discussed. Based on each pilot design and the estimated shaped channels, two methods are proposed to estimate the CFOs. As a result, based on the second-order statistics (SOS) of the received signal and one pilot OFDM block, the CFOs and channels are found simultaneously. Finally, a fast equalization method is given to recover the signals corrupted by the CFOs.     

Crossed-dipole arrays for asynchronous DS-CDMA systems

In this paper, the use of a crossed-dipole array is proposed in joint space-time channel estimation for asynchronous multipath direct sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) systems. The polarization diversity offered by such an array, unlike linearly polarized arrays, is able to detect and estimate any arbitrary completely polarized signal path. By utilizing the polarization information inherent in the received signal to construct the polar-spatio-temporal array (polar-STAR) manifold vector, the accuracy and resolution of the polar-STAR parameters' estimation are significantly improved, and its signal detection capability is enhanced. To alleviate the need for a multidimensional search in the polarization space, a computationally efficient joint polarization-angle-delay channel parameter estimation algorithm is proposed for a "desired user" that operates in an asynchronous multiuser and multipath environment. The proposed algorithm, which can be seen as an application of MUSIC-type techniques, is based on combining a two-dimensional STAR-Subspace type technique with a set of analytical equations and is supported by representative examples and computer simulation studies.     

Joint estimation of symbol timing and carrier frequency offset of OFDM signals over fast time-varying multipath channels

In this paper, we present a novel joint algorithm to estimate the symbol timing and carrier frequency offsets of wireless orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signals. To jointly estimate synchronization parameters using the maximum likelihood (ML) criterion, researchers have derived conventional models only from additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) or single-path fading channels. We develop a general ML estimation algorithm that can accurately calculate symbol timing and carrier frequency offsets over a fast time-varying multipath channel. To reduce overall estimation complexity, the proposed scheme consists of two estimation stages: coarse and fine synchronizations. A low complexity coarse synchronization based on the least-squares (LS) method can rapidly estimate the rough symbol timing and carrier frequency offsets over a fast time-varying multipath channel. The subsequent ML fine synchronization can then obtain accurate final results based on the previous coarse synchronization. Simulations demonstrate that the coarse-to-fine method provides a good tradeoff between estimation accuracy and computational complexity.     

MIMO OFDM系统中同步和信道的联合估计

提出了一种MIMO OFDM系统的定时恢复、频率同步和信道估计的联合算法。为了减少算法的复杂度，算法分两步完成：首先利用接收信号的自相关函数进行粗同步和信道估计，得到时延和频偏的粗估计，然后在粗估计基础上采用最大似然准则进行精确的同步和信道估计。仿真结果表明，该算法能够达到很好的效果，系统误码率接近已知信道响应时的情况。