Conventional estimation algorithms utilize either a tone or squarewave in the preamble for frequency estimation. However, such patterns for the preamble sequence are nonoptimal when the channel is frequency selective. Furthermore, the problem is exacerbated for packet-switched systems which require frequency synchronization on a per-packet basis. This paper presents a low complexity frequency estimation algorithm that is robust in frequency selective fading channels. The algorithm is non-decision aided and does not require apriori frame synchronization. Compared against conventional techniques, a factor of 5-10 reduction in BER and a factor of 3 reduction in convergence time are achieved.
.O INTRODUCTIONPacket-switched systems such as wireless LANs have evolved over the past few years and are becoming increasingly important to accommodate the rising demand for data services. The current IEEE 802.11 wireless standard which specifies operation in the ISM bands is limited to primarily provide low data rates up to 2 Mbs in an indoor environment. There has been significant effort recently to improve the performance of IEEE 802.11 to provide high data rates up to ten's of megabits per second in more diverse geographic locations (e.g. outdoors) [ l]. As data rates become higher and coverage extends into outdoor environments, the transmission channel quality degrades significantly. This makes it necessary to use additional signal processing such as channel equalization, antenna diversity and adaptive beamforming to get the desired level of performance. Quite often algorithms for these signal processing functions are based on the assumption that some level of synchronization exists on the transmission link. This synchronization may consist of gain control, clock recovery, frame: synchronization and carrier frequency alignment. Under the more severe channel conditions characterized by higher delay spread and faster time variations, conventional synchronization algorithms [3][4][5][6][8] are no longer adequate and need to be redesigned.This paper focuses on the specific problem of frequency synchronization for wireless transmission over frequency selective channels with large delay spreads, typically encountered in the outdoor environment. One of the inherent difficulties in acquiring the frequency stems from the fact that it is generally not possible to do frame synchronization, channel estimation or to demodulate data before the carrier frequencies are aligned. This means that the estimation techniques must be Non-Decision Aided (NDA). To get *Rockwell Science Center Wireless Systems Group Thousand Oaks, CA around the NDA requirement, most algorithms rely on having a preamble at the beginning of the packet which is either a tone or an alternating pattern of ones and zeros [3][41[51[61[81. However, these preamble sequences arc: inadequate for frequency selective channels, especially, for packet-switched systems which require frequency synchronization on every packet. For robust operation in this case, the frequency must be...