Residual Carrier Frequency Offset Research Articles

An Efficient Random Access Reception Algorithm for ToA Estimation in NB-IoT

Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) aims to provide wide coverage for a massive number of low-cost devices. Therefore, an NB-IoT physical random access channel (NPRACH) preamble based on a single tone signal with frequency hopping was designed, enabling the base station to estimate the time-of-arrival (ToA) values for realizing uplink synchronization among multiple users. However, due to residual carrier frequency offset (RCFO) in the NPRACH preamble, it is crucial to keep the accuracy of the ToA estimation. Recognizing this urgency, in this paper we first judiciously investigate the effect of the hooping distance on ToA estimation. With which, we propose an efficient receiving algorithm to improve the accuracy of ToA estimation. The main aim of the algorithm is to treat two consecutive symbol groups as a whole and then carry out difference calculations on the two newly constituted symbol groups to construct a more logical frequency hopping distance. Extensive numerical results validate the superiorly of our proposed scheme compared against conventional strategies, showing that the probability of the ToA estimation obtained by this method is 99% within the acceptable error range.

A Novel Pilot-Aided Timing Recovery Algorithm With High Tolerance to Impairments for OQAM-Based Digital Multi-Band Systems

Timing recovery (TR) plays an important role in the digital signal processing (DSP) of coherent receivers. In TR, timing error (TE) is extracted by the timing recovery algorithm (TRA) and fed back to adjust the clock sampling phase. However, widely-used Gardner and Godard TRAs are sensitive to spectral roll-off factor and differential group delay (DGD), and more importantly, are inapplicable to the offset quadrature amplitude modulation (OQAM) system. In this paper, we propose a novel pilot-aided TRA for the OQAM-based digital multi-band (OQAM-DMB) system, which is robust to different impairments including rotation of state of polarization (RSOP), DGD, spectral roll-off, residual chromatic dispersion (rCD), residual carrier frequency offset (RFO), and laser linewidth. 1.12-Tbit/s simulations and 320-Gbit/s experiments show that OQAM-DMB based on the proposed algorithm works properly for all spectral roll-off factors and exhibits excellent tolerance against DGD, RSOP, rCD, RFO, and laser linewidth, and outperforms QAM-DMB using conventional TRAs. The digital phase-lock loop can be locked for the clock frequency offset within ±80 ppm and all initial sampling phase offsets. Although investigated in OQAM-DMB, the proposed algorithm is also applicable to conventional QAM-DMB.

Impact and compensation of carrier synchronization errors in OFDM signals with very large QAM constellations

AbstractLow cost video sensors used for streaming video signals to help firefighters, require high bit rate due to uncompressed images. To increase spectral efficiency given a limited bandwidth, very high order constellations in high signal to noise ratio regimes can be used. However, noise is not the only factor effecting the high order constellations. These constellations are also sensitive to hardware impairments and system non‐linearities. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of carrier frequency offset (CFO) on the performance of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system with high order quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) is studied. A closed form expression is derived for the maximum normalized residual CFO that an OFDM system with M‐QAM constellation can resist to have an error free symbol detection. Finally, the suitability of common previous CFO estimation techniques such as the cyclic prefix based technique and the Moose technique in these systems are investigate. The results show that the maximum residual CFO that an OFDM system with M‐QAM constellation can resist is proportional to the inverse of . The results also show that very large order QAM constellations such as 4096‐QAM are very sensitive to even small residual CFO values and their performance degrades, significantly. However, the bit error rate analysis indicate that the Moose CFO estimation technique can be used in these systems to compensate the CFO effect, accurately.

Performance of a Method for the Estimation of Carrier and Sampling Frequency Offsets in OFDM WLAN Systems

A method was published in 2020 for the estimation of the residual carrier frequency offset (RCFO) and sampling frequency offset (SFO) in WLAN OFDM systems. The purpose of this paper is to compare this method with one existing method for more examples to make a fair comparison in terms of estimation accuracy and computational load.

Fine Timing and Frequency Synchronization for MIMO-OFDM: An Extreme Learning Approach

Multiple-input multiple-output orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) is a key technology component in the evolution towards cognitive radio (CR) in next-generation communication in which the accuracy of timing and frequency synchronization significantly impacts the overall system performance. In this paper, we propose a novel scheme leveraging extreme learning machine (ELM) to achieve high-precision synchronization. Specifically, exploiting the preamble signals with synchronization offsets, two ELMs are incorporated into a traditional MIMO-OFDM system to estimate both the residual symbol timing offset (RSTO) and the residual carrier frequency offset (RCFO). The simulation results show that the performance of the proposed ELM-based synchronization scheme is superior to the traditional method under both additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and frequency selective fading channels. Furthermore, comparing with the existing machine learning based techniques, the proposed method shows outstanding performance without the requirement of perfect channel state information (CSI) and prohibitive computational complexity. Finally, the proposed method is robust in terms of the choice of channel parameters (e.g., number of paths) and also in terms of “generalization ability” from a machine learning standpoint.

Blind CFO Estimation in a UFMC System Aided With Virtual Carriers

This letter studies the design of blind estimation technique for carrier frequency offset (CFO) in a universal filtered multicarrier (UFMC) system. We first propose a preliminary scheme, and then further devise a series of improved approaches used in the novel two-stage solution, including stages of initial and residual CFO estimation. For Stage 1, we devise two useful estimation algorithms, respectively. Especially, the latter approach using the frequency-domain received signal avoids intensive computation of the cost function. For Stage 2, we derive a closed-form formula used in the iterations to estimate the residual CFO. It can be shown that the proposed schemes not only provide a performance comparable to that of the non-blind least square-based scheme, but also enjoy much lower computational complexity compared with the conventional exhaustive search approach. The conducted computer simulation results verify the superior performance of the blind CFO estimation for UFMC.

Design of Universal Filtered Multicarrier Receivers with High Efficiency and Low Complexity for Cancelling Residual Carrier Frequency Offset

Design of Universal Filtered Multicarrier Receivers with High Efficiency and Low Complexity for Cancelling Residual Carrier Frequency Offset

Residual Carrier Frequency Offset Estimation and Compensation for Commodity WiFi

The various offsets existed in the commodity WiFi devices greatly limit the use of ubiquitous WiFi signals for indoor applications. In this paper, we focus on the estimation and compensation of the residual carrier frequency offset (CFO) for the commodity WiFi devices. Specifically, we consider a distorted channel state information (CSI) model by taking into consideration various CSI errors such as packet detection delay (PDD) and CFO. We propose a multiscale sparse recovery algorithm to get rid of the effect of PDD and extract the carrier frequency component out of CSI. Then, we formulate the residual CFO estimation as a spectrum estimation problem and utilize the MUSIC algorithm to estimate the residual CFO. Real experiments and numerical simulations are conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. The experimental results and simulation results show that the residual CFO is time-varying, and compared with existing methods, the proposed method can better estimate and compensate the residual CFO, and thus achieve better results.

Practical BER-Based Estimation of Residual OFDM CFO by Reducing Noise Margin

The main OFDM drawbacks are Carrier Frequency Offset (CFO) and large Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR), which both degrade the Bit Error Rate (BER). Specifically, we consider here clipping or any other PAPR reduction method sufficient to prevent the nonlinear high-power amplifier from generating errors. Moreover, in small cells, the signal-to-noise ratio is large, while the small time dispersion allows the OFDM symbol cyclic prefix to prevent intersymbol interference. This retains the CFO to solely determine the BER and vice versa, enabling indirect estimation of CFO-induced phase distortion by simple BER testing. However, a particular problem is measuring very low BER values (generated by alike residual CFO), which could last a long time in order to acquire statistically enough errors. The test time can be drastically reduced if the noise margin is reduced in a controllable way, by adding the interfering signal to each subcarrier at the receiver. This approach is shown to enable efficient and accurate short-term BER (and so CFO phase error) testing.

Multiple CFOs Estimation and Implementation of SC-FDMA Uplink System Using Oversampling and Iterative Method

Multiple carrier frequency offsets (CFOs) estimation in high speed single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) uplink system is a challenging issue. Most of the existing blind CFO estimation methods work for a certain type of carrier mapping scheme (CMS) or address a single CFO estimation by utilizing long data over frequency selective fading channel. These estimation methods become irrelevant at high speed and multi-user scenarios where CFO changes with symbols and users. In this paper, we propose a blind multiple CFOs estimation method for all CMS of SC-FDMA and implement over testbed. The proposed method requires only one SC-FDMA symbol to attain reliable estimation even in a high mobility environment, i.e., in a doubly selective channel. It exploits the phase difference present between even and odd samples of the received oversampled signal to estimate CFOs. Subsequently, an iterative joint CFO estimation and compensation (IJCEC) method is introduced to remove residual interference and increase CFOs estimation accuracy. Cramer-Rao lower bound is derived to characterize the CFO estimation accuracy of the proposed method. The work is compared with the conventional methods such as MUSIC, ESPRIT, CAZAC, and some existing methods and validated through Monte Carlo simulations. Finally, we authenticate the proposed IJCEC method by performing implementation and measurement on National Instrument testbed setup in an indoor propagation environment.

An Efficient NPRACH Receiver Design For NB-IoT Systems

Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) is a powerful technology for massive machine-type communications, which is imperative in the forthcoming 5G wireless communications. Unlike the long-time evolution (LTE) protocol, in the NB-IoT protocol specified by the third generation partnership project (3GPP), the narrowband physical random access channel (NPRACH) is newly introduced and its receiver performance is critical to the success of an NB-IoT system. In this article, an optimal activity detection scheme is first designed by using the Neyman–Pearson criterion. Then, a low-complexity iterative search algorithm is developed for the joint estimation of residual carrier frequency offset (RCFO) and timing advanced (TA), avoiding the effect of phase ambiguity. Finally, simulation results collaborate on the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed receiver.

An Efficient Carrier Frequency Offset Tracking for OFDMA Systems Using Normalized Least-Mean-Square Algorithm

In orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), carrier frequency offset (CFO) destroys the orthogonality between subcarriers due to Doppler effect of the channel and also causes inter-carrier interference (ICI) as well as multiple access interference (MAI). In this paper, CFO tracking algorithm for OFDMA system is presented to overcome the effect of ICI as well as MAI. The proposed algorithm employs normalized least-mean-square (NLMS) algorithm which tracks the residual carrier frequency offset in OFDMA system. The proposed NLMS-based tracking algorithm uses average of all residual carrier frequency offset (RCFO) for improving the mean square error (MSE) performance. The proposed NLMS-based frequency tracking along with frequency offset compensator improves the error performance by reducing the effect of ICI and MAI. Simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm achieves better tracking performance in the presence of frequency offset. From the results, it is observed that the MSE of the proposed estimator is improved about 3.8 dB at SNR = 20 dB with the frequency offset.

Carrier frequency offset estimation for FM and symbiotic FM radio data system hybrid signal

The symbiotic FM radio data system (SRDS) is a radio data system that a specially designed OFDM signal co-lives with FM signal, which enables a significantly higher data rate than existing radio data systems. The cyclic prefix of the OFDM symbol has the same length as the OFDM body, which enables the analytic separation of the co-channel OFDM and FM signal at receiver side, utilizing the fact that the OFDM body and prefix is equal. In this work, we show that the OFDM body and prefix cannot be viewed as equal when there is sufficient carrier frequency offset (CFO). Thus, we propose a two-step CFO estimation algorithm for FM and SRDS hybrid signal. The first step estimates the coarse CFO by exploring the characteristics of the FM signal. Once the coarse CFO is removed, the residual CFO is small enough for FM and OFDM separation. The second step fine estimates CFO from the OFDM-only signal using its repeated PN structure after the separation. Detailed mathematical equations are formulated and simulation results are given. The results show that the proposed algorithm works fine with the simulation setup and has a final residual CFO less than 3.9Hz.

Efficient CFO Estimation and Compensation Approach in OFDMA for Uplink Mobile WiMax

Synchronization is a complex task in uplink Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) for Mobile WiMax as each user presents different Carrier Frequency Offsets (CFO). Synchronization begins with the CFO estimation and followed by the compensation of residual CFO present in the received signal. This paper deals with various techniques in time and frequency domains to compensate the effect of CFO on the received signal for different estimation techniques. SImple time domain MultiUser Interference Cancellation (SIMUIC) performs in time domain. It employs delays in the compensation of CFO while synchronizing the last user. Decorrelation Successive Interference Cancellation (DC-SC) and Integrated Estimation and Compensation (IEC) perform in frequency domain for the compensation of CFO. These approaches are more complex for Inter-Carrier Interference (ICI) cancellation. In this paper, we propose a new efficient CFO compensation technique in frequency domain for different estimation methods. This technique is a modified version of IEC for reducing the CFO effect on the received signal with lesser computations. Simulation results show that the modified IEC performs better than SIMUIC, DC-SC and IEC for different estimation methods.

Analysis of residual CFO impact on downlink massive MISO systems

Massive antenna technologies provide a good power focusing gain for emerging communication systems. They can easily be integrated into an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) system. However, OFDM is known to be prone to carrier frequency offset (CFO) due to the loss of the orthogonality among OFDM subcarriers. In this Letter, the authors investigate the impact of residual CFO (RCFO) on the downlink performance of massive multiple-input single-output (MISO) OFDM systems using matched-filter (MF) and maximum-ratio-transmission (MRT) precoders. Particularly, the exact mean-square-error (MSE) expressions of the equalised received signal of both MF and MRT systems are derived. Numerical simulations with Rayleigh fading channels are carried out to validate the analysis. The results show that the RCFO causes a MSE plateau compared to the ideal case of no CFO.

Recursive Carrier Interferometry Aided High Data Rate OFDM Systems With PAPR Suppression, Phase Noise Rejection, and Carrier Frequency Offsets Compensation

In this paper, we propose two groups of recursive codes, namely the Hadamard recursive carrier interferometry (HRCI) codes and diagonal recursive carrier interferometry (DRCI) codes, to simultaneously reduce the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) and suppress the phase noises and residual carrier frequency offset (RCFO) for high-speed orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. We exploit the recursion property of the Hadamard and diagonal matrices to constitute the proposed HRCI code and DRCI code using the carrier interferometry (CI) code, and present the system model in details to spread OFDM symbols in the frequency domain. Then, we prove that both HRCI and DRCI generation matrices keep their invertibility during the recursions. As a direct result of the new code design, the phase intervals are enlarged and the signals are shifted in the time domain, thus both the PAPR and the phase noises are reduced, and the RCFO can be mitigated. Moreover, the enlarged phase intervals enable the transceiver blocks including the channel estimator, which estimate the phase noise based on the received signals, to improve the performance. Furthermore, we present the expressions for the HRCI and DRCI embedded transmitted and received signals, and derive the analytical signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) expressions for bit error rate (BER) performance analysis. Then, we analyze the effects of presented codes on the phase differences and provide the computational complexity analysis. Numerical simulations verify the effectiveness of our theoretical analysis of SINR. Additionally, under different parameter settings, which consider the working conditions of practical systems, we demonstrate that the presented robust HRCI and DRCI coded OFDM systems can suppress the PAPR satisfactorily and better BER performances can be achieved by the recursive CI-aided spread OFDM systems with phase noise rejection and RCFO compensation when compared with counterpart systems.

Frequency Synchronization in Distributed Antenna Systems: Pairing-Based Multi-CFO Estimation, Theoretical Analysis, and Optimal Pairing Scheme

In this paper, we consider the frequency synchronization issue in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing distributed antenna systems. There may exist multiple carrier frequency offsets (CFOs) between the transmitter and distributed receive antennas. To solve the multi-CFO estimation problem, we first derive the blind maximum likelihood estimator, which has superior estimation performance, but exhibits high computational complexity. Furthermore, we develop a blind pairing-based efficient estimator (PBEE), which divides the multiple antennas into pairs of two. The two CFOs in each pair are jointly estimated with a carefully designed cost function, which proves to be exactly a cosine function parameterized by the two CFOs even with the effect of noise. Consequently, the joint estimation of the two CFOs can be simplified to the one-dimensional search optimization problem. The PBEE can achieve better CFO estimation performance than the existing competitors. From the theoretical mean square error (MSE) analysis of PBEE, we further derive the optimal antenna pairing scheme by minimizing the signal-to-noise ratio degradation caused by the uncompensated residual CFOs. Finally, the Cramer-Rao bound of CFO estimation is derived and numerical results are provided to corroborate the proposed studies.

Research on Compensation Algorithm for Residual Carrier Frequency Offset in Multi-tone Parallel System

The influence of residual carrier frequency offset on demodulation for multi-tone parallel signals is theoretically deduced and simulated, and two compensation algorithms for residual carrier frequency offset are proposed. Taking 16 tones for example, the simulation results in AWGN channel show that the influence of the residual carrier frequency offset is in agreement with the theoretical derivation, and the loss of error code performance is less than 0.1db when the frequency offset is less than 0.4% of the sub-carrier symbol rate. The thresholds of the SNR lossing less than 0.1db are obtained: Eb/N0=5db for short burst signals and Eb/N0=4db for continuous signals. The theoretical analysises and simulation results show that the proposed algorithms are applicable to multi-tone parallel signals.

Efficient Detection and Synchronization of Superimposed NB-IoT NPRACH Preambles

In the third-generation partnership project narrowband Internet-of-Things specifications, a new narrowband physical random-access channel (NPRACH) is specified as a single-tone frequency-hopping preamble. When multiple uplink users attempt to attach simultaneously, the base station receives superimposed NPRACH preambles and must detect all users and acquire their synchronization parameters: time-of-arrival (ToA) and residual carrier frequency offset (RCFO). In this paper, we first solve the detection problem and derive the optimal Neyman–Pearson detection threshold. Then, we analyze the theoretical detection performance and find the maximum coupling loss under both additive white Gaussian noise and Rayleigh fading channels. Next, the FFT phase trace of each detected user is exploited to estimate the user’s ToA and RCFO parameters. Simulations reveal that the algorithm has both favorable detection and estimation performances with very low complexity.

Recovery of carrier frequency offset and set information for LTE device-to-device communications

Sidelink channels have been standardized in the long-term evolution (LTE) to support device-to-device communications for public safety, vehicular-to-everything services, and other features. The channels provide sidelink synchronization signals (SSSs) for synchronization among the user equipment (UE), which obtain the timing, carrier frequency offset (CFO), and sidelink identity from a synchronization source UE. This paper focuses on the recovery of a CFO and the sidelink identity set information by exploiting the two primary SSS (PSSS) symbols after the symbol timing is obtained. We propose the use of detection metrics for the quantized CFO and set information by estimating a multi-path fading channel subject to unknown delay times and residual CFO (RFO) errors. The proposed metrics have been shown to be implementable with low complexity by exploiting the properties of the PSSS sequence. The metrics were also analyzed in multi-path fading channels without RFO errors for a quick estimate regarding the performance and guidelines of the sequence design. The results indicate that the proposed detection metrics outperform the conventional metric under realistic scenarios with unknown delay times and RFO errors.