Time and frequency synchronization for OFDM using PN-sequence preambles

Fast and reliable time and frequency synchronization is crucial for packet-based orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) systems. In this paper we compare and analyze preambles for OFDM systems based on repeated OFDM data symbols or repeated short pseudonoise sequences (PN-sequences). We make an analytical evaluation for AWGN channels and simulate the performance in oneand two-tap Rayleigh fading channels. The PN-based preamble gives better detection properties in terms of lower false detection probability and lower probability of missing the synchronization signal. The PN-based preamble has low peak-to-average power ratio and it makes it possible to use an ADC with one-bit quantization in stand-by mode. For frequency offset estimation both preambles give similar performance, but the PN-based preamble allows for a greater reduction in stand-by mode power consumption.