Low-complex frame synchronization in OFDM systems

Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems have gained an increased interest due to their use in wireless applications such as mobile communication systems. A novel data-based frame synchronization method for OFDM-systems is presented. OFDM frames are shown to contain sufficient information to synchronize a system without the use of pilots. The cyclic extension, preceding OFDM frames, is of decisive importance for this method. Based on only the sign bits of the in-phase and the quadrature components of the received OFDM signal, the maximum likelihood solution is derived. This solution basically consists of a correlator, a moving sum and a peak detector. The stability of the generated frame-clock is improved significantly by averaging over a few number of frames. Simulations show that this low-complex, averaging method can be used to synchronize an OFDM system on twisted pair copper wires and in slowly fading radio channels.