Statistical approximation based fine frequency synchronization for OFDM systems

The paper proposes a novel approach for fine frequency synchronization of OFDM synchronization systems in multi-path channels. Maximum Likelihood (ML) function of frequency offsets including integral and decimal parts in frequency domain is developed according to the law of great number to eliminate the noise impact of the signal. When the timing delay close to the actual time, the proposed function produces a deep valley indicating frequency offset when large Valley-Square-Error (VSE) appears. Coarse timing offset can also be detected when function’s Valley-Square-Error (VSE) is maximized. Simulation results shows that the proposed algorithm gives very robust estimation of frequency offset, and a coarse timing offset estimation.