Low-complexity Kalman filter-based carrier frequency offset estimation and tracking for OFDM systems

In this paper, an iterative blind estimator for fractional carrier frequency offset (CFO) in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems is proposed. The estimator utilizes the null subcarriers transmitted at the edge of the spectrum and does not require any training. In addition, the proposed estimator does not require any prior knowledge of the frequency response of the channel. The problem is formulated using a state-space model, and an extended Kalman filter (EKF) is employed to estimate the CFO iteratively. Simulation results illustrate the enhanced ability of the proposed algorithm, relative to the existing approaches, to estimate and track the CFO even in the presence of high Doppler.