Multicarrier synchronization with diversity

Recently multicarrier communications (MC), eg, OFDM systems, have received a lot of interest. Multicarrier schemes increase the efficiency and capacity of wireless networks, but are very sensitive to carrier frequency synchronization errors. We explore a framework to exploit temporal and spatial diversities to improve the performance of such schemes in the downlink or uplink by enhancing synchronization. The estimator developed here does not depend on the presence of repeated known symbols or pilot tones. Diversity modes are accessed via a common notation and this allows us to conveniently generalize to temporal or spatial diversity reception schemes. The acquisition limit of the proposed algorithm is not limited to half a subcarrier spacing as is the case with many other blind algorithms. Performance of the algorithm is carried out with simulation studies and a summary of our findings for temporal and spatial diversity are reported