A design and implementation of timing synchronization algorithm for OFDM-based powerline communication

OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing)-based broadband power line communication offers reliable data transmission solution for smart grid and the “last mile” question. This paper presents a design and implementation on timing synchronization algorithm for PLC. A polyphase sequences sets based preamble is proposed which provide not only better merit factor and peak to average power ratio but also minimum interference caused by other user´s preamble. We evaluate the performance of the proposed scheme using a power line channel simulation model which contains multipath propagation, highly varying path loss and disturbance by impulse noise. At last, we implement the hardware system and test the proposed timing synchronization scheme in real office environment.