Maximum-likelihood fine frame timing and frequency offset estimation for OFDM communication over a Rayleigh fading channel

A novel maximum-likelihood (ML) technique for joint fine frame timing and frequency offset estimation in an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) system is investigated in this paper. By taking advantage of cyclic prefix (CP) within the guard interval, the proposed technique can accurately estimate the frame timing instant and frequency offset with no assistance from pilot symbols. The proposed technique also takes Rayleigh fading into consideration for the purpose of wireless application. Extensive simulation experiments show that the proposed techniques can effectively achieve lower estimation errors in fine frame timing and frequency offset estimation.