A frequency domain method for time-shift estimation and alignment of discrete time signals

Alignment of discrete-time signals using time shifts obtained through cross-correlation techniques in the time domain without interpolation can only be done to within an integer multiple of the sampling period. In many cases, the accuracy of such techniques is not sufficient. In this paper, we discuss an alignment procedure which essentially overcomes this difficulty by determining the time shifts in the discrete frequency domain. An examples illustrating the effectiveness of this procedure for aligning seismic data is also presented.