Low Complexity Time Synchronization for Zero-padding based Waveforms

The discussion on using zero padding (ZP) instead of a cyclic prefix (CP) for enhancing channel estimation and equalization performance is a recurring topic in waveform design for future wireless systems that high spectral efficiency and location awareness are the key factors. This is particularly true for orthogonal signals, such as orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM). ZP-OFDM is appealing for joint communications and sensing (JCS) in 6G networks because it takes the advantage of both OFDM and pulse radar. In term of communication, ZP-OFDM compared to CP-OFDM, has higher power efficiency and lower bit error rate (BER). However, time synchronization is challenging in ZP-OFDM systems due to the lack of CP. In terms of sensing, ZP facilitates ranging methods, such as time-sum-of-arrival (TSOA). In this paper, we propose a moment-based timing offset (TO) estimator for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) ZP-OFDM system without the need for pilots. We then introduce the which significantly improves the estimation accuracy of the previous estimator. We show that the proposed method asymptotically reaches the maximum likelihood (ML) estimator. Simulation results show very high probability of lock-in for the proposed estimators under various practical scenarios.

Maximum Likelihood Time Synchronization for Zero-padded OFDM

Existing Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) variants based on cyclic prefix (CP) allow for efficient time synchronization, but suffer from lower power efficiency compared to zero-padded (ZP)-OFDM. Because of its power efficiency, ZP-OFDM is considered as an appealing solution for the emerging low-power wireless systems. However, in the absence of CP, time synchronization in ZP-OFDM is a very challenging task. In this paper, the non-data-aided (NDA) maximum-likelihood (ML) time synchronization for ZP-OFDM is analytically derived. We show that the optimal NDA-ML synchronization algorithm offers a high lock-in probability and can be efficiently implemented using Monte Carlo sampling (MCS) technique in combination with golden-section search. To obtain the optimal NDA-ML time synchronization algorithm, we first derive a closed-form expression for the joint probability density function (PDF) of the received ZP-OFDM samples in frequency-selective fading channels. The derived expression is valid for doubly-selective fading channels with mobile users as well. The performance of the proposed synchronization algorithm is evaluated under various practical settings through simulation experiments. It is shown that the proposed optimal NDA-ML synchronization algorithm and its MCS implementation substantially outperforms existing algorithms in terms of lock-in probability.