OFDM system identification based on m-sequence signatures in cognitive radio context

In the context of cognitive radio, system identification is a crucial step towards radio environment awareness. In this paper, we present a new OFDM system identification method based on m-sequence (MS) specific characteristics. Thanks to their good random properties, m-sequences are commonly used in existing standards (such as Wifi or WiMAX) to modulate pilot tones for channel estimation and/or for synchronization purposes. We demonstrate that such sequences show extra-properties relevant to distinguish systems from each other and therefore advocate to generalize their use in a cognitive context. MS signatures are indeed of interest since they are able to discriminate OFDM based systems that have the same modulation parameters (intercarrier spacing, cyclic prefix duration, etc.). In order to detect these signatures, we conduct a hypothesis test based on the MS high order statistics. Detailed numerical examples demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed identification criterion and especially show its benefits compared to classical correlation based methods.