Method and system for undersampled symbol synchronization

A method for providing symbol synchronization in a communications receiver, the method comprising;

• capturing a transmitted information signal comprising a plurality of synchronization patterns, wherein each synchronization pattern differs from the other synchronization patterns by a time shift;
• generating a correlation peak from each of the plurality of synchronizations patterns;
• and
• reordering the plurality of generated correlation peaks to provide a communications receiver symbol synchronization-offset pattern, whereby the receiver symbol synchronization-offset pattern simulates an oversampled synchronization pattern with improved signal to noise ratio over sampling at a higher sampling rate.

A method for symbol synchronization in a communication transmitter, the method comprising the steps of:

• generating a synchronization pattern;
• encoding an information signal with m headers to provide an encoded information signal, wherein m is a positive integer and each header comprising the synchronization pattern, wherein after the first synchronization pattern, each synchronization pattern is shifted by a fraction of a symbol-time from the other synchronization patterns;
• and
• transmitting the encoded information signal over a communication medium.

A method for symbol synchronization in a communication receiver, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving an encoded information signal, wherein the encoded signal includes an information signal and m headers, wherein m is a positive integer and each header comprising a synchronization pattern, wherein after the first synchronization pattern, each synchronization pattern is shifted by a fraction of a symbol-time from the other synchronization patterns;
• sampling the encoded information signal;
• generating a correlation peak for each of the m transmitted synchronization patterns;
• and
• reordering the m generated correlation peaks to provide a symbol synchronization-offset pattern, whereby the receiver symbol synchronization-offset pattern simulates an m times oversampled synchronization pattern with improved signal to noise ratio over m times receiver samplings.

A receiving system for providing a symbol synchronization-offset signal for use in a communications system, the receiving system comprising:

• a capturing system arranged to receive an information signal with a plurality of symbol synchronization patterns, wherein each of the plurality of synchronization patterns differ from the other synchronization patterns by a time shift;
• a correlation generating system arranged to provide a correlation peak for each of the plurality of synchronization patterns;
• and
• a symbol synchronization detecting system arranged to reorder the plurality of generated correlation peaks, such that a symbol synchronization-offset pattern is produced, whereby the symbol synchronization-offset pattern simulates an oversampled synchronization pattern with improved signal to noise ratio over true oversampled receiver samplings.