System and method for demodulating data in an orthogonal frequency division modulation system

A method for synchronizing communications being conducted in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Modulation (OFDM) communication system comprising:

• in an OFDM system:
• determining a plurality of timing relationships;
• applying the plurality of timing relationships to first incoming data and responsively determining at least two achievable interference ratios, wherein each of the plurality of timing relationships is associated with a different one of the at least two achievable interference ratios;
• choosing a maximum achievable interference ratio from the amongst the at least two achievable interference ratios;
• identifying a preferred timing relationship from amongst the plurality of timing relationships, the preferred timing relationship corresponding to the maximum achievable interference ratio;
• and
• applying the preferred timing relationship to second incoming data in order to demodulate the second incoming data.

An apparatus for synchronizing communications being conducted in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Modulation (OFDM) system comprising:

• a receiver for receiving first incoming data;
• an interface having an output;
• and
• a processing device coupled to the receiver and the interface, the processing device being programmed to determine a plurality of timing relationships, wherein each of the plurality of timing relationships relates to an alignment of a fast Fourier transform (FFT), the processing device being further programmed to apply the plurality of timing relationships to the first incoming data and responsively determine a plurality of achievable interference metrics, each of the plurality of achievable interference metrics being associated with a selected one of the plurality of timing relationships, the processing device being further programmed to choose a preferred interference metric from amongst the plurality of achievable interference metrics and identify a preferred timing relationship from amongst the plurality of timing relationships, the preferred timing relationship being associated with the preferred interference metric, and wherein the receiver further receives second incoming data and the processing device is further programmed to demodulate the second incoming data using the preferred timing relationship and present the demodulated second incoming data at the output of the interface.