The effect of sampling frequency offset on data transmission rates in OFDM systems

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is one of the most commonly used methods in new generation communication systems since it can provide high bandwidth efficiency levels. However, the sensitivity of OFDM systems to time and frequency offsets is known. In this paper, the relation between the sampling frequency offset observed due to sampling deviations, the modulation level and the OFDM frame length is presented. The rotation of the maximum frequency component of the last symbol of an OFDM frame can be obtained using the presented relation for an M-QAM constellation. The design limits that are obtained in this study are supported via simulation results.