Frequency offset correction for coherent OFDM in wireless systems

In this paper, a new frequency offset correction approach for OFDM is proposed to track a wider range of offsets than conventional proposals, without devoting specific pilot symbols for synchronization. This can be attained since, in coherent OFDM, channel estimation is usually performed employing Pilot-Symbol Assisted-Modulation (PSAM), based on inserting known symbols in the time-frequency grid. We show how this two-dimensional embedded signalling can also be used for frequency synchronization, with no need of additional synchronization symbols which reduce the data-rate. The ML estimator has been derived, but also, a frequency-domain low-complex estimator has been proposed, based on only the samples at pilot positions. Additionally, a novel decision-guided strategy is presented, working jointly with the channel-estimation signalling and reducing the variance of the estimation considerably. Also, the stability of the scheme is shown to get significantly better by averaging over a few number of OFDM symbols. This estimator is efficient against AWGN and multipath fading channels. Simulation results demonstrate that the presented frequency offset correction scheme provides the accuracy required in practical applications for OFDM wireless systems.