Decoder-assisted frame synchronization of convolutionally encoded packet transmission

This paper proposes an improved frame synchronization methodology for convolutionally encoded data packets that operates by concatenating synchronizers. A soft-decision synchronizer generates an ordered list of likely packet delays and is followed by a hard-decision synchronizer. Rather than employing a traditional header, synchronization bits are inserted in a mid-amble of the information packet. The same synchronization bits can be used to estimate the likely packet delays from a conventional synchronizer and from the state of the encoder at a specific point in the packet. A simulation study is carried out to compare our decoder-assisted simulation approaches with the standard synchronization techniques on the basis of false synchronization probability