Performance analysis on an MAP fine timing algorithm in UWB multiband OFDM

In this paper we develop a fine synchronization algorithm for multiband OFDM transmission in the presence of frequency selective channels. This algorithm is based on maximum a posteriori (MAP) joint timing and channel estimation that incorporates channel statistical information, leading to considerable performance enhancement relative to existing maximum likelihood (ML) approaches. We carry out a thorough performance analysis of the fine timing algorithm, and link the diversity concept widely used in data communications to the timing performance. We show that the probability of the timing offset equal to or larger than Delta taps has a diversity order of N_B min(Delta, L) in Rayleigh fading channels, where N_B is the number of subbands and L is the number of channel taps. This result reveals that the timing estimate is very much concentrated around the true timing as the signal to noise ratio (SNR) increases. Our simulations confirm the theoretical analysis, and also demonstrate the robustness of the proposed timing algorithm against model mismatches in a realistic UWB indoor channel.