Method for determining the mutual time delay of ultrawideband OFDM signals

Abstract

The efficient algorithm for determining the mutual time delay of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) signals propagating in ultrawideband (UWB) satellite communications systems is proposed. The algorithm is based on modified calculation of the mutual uncertainty function of signals to compensate for the Doppler effect. The directly calculated mutual uncertainty function of UWB signals makes it impossible to obtain the consistent estimate of the mutual time delay due to the influence of the Doppler broadening of a spectral band. The proposed algorithm relies on the fact that received signals are divided into separate narrowband channels in which mutual uncertainty functions are subsequently calculated. The algorithm operation modes based on OFDM and pseudorandom frequency-hopping signals are compared.