Methods and apparatus for timing synchronization based on transitional pilot symbols

An apparatus for time tracking synchronization in an orthogonal frequency-division multiplex (OFDM) system, the apparatus comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive at least one time-division multiplexed (TDM) pilot symbol comprising a plurality of modulated sub-carriers that are configured to provide a channel estimate having a length that extends up to a duration of an FFT used for data transmission;
• a channel estimator configured to determine an instantaneous channel estimate from the plurality of modulated sub-carriers;
• and
• a time synchronizer configured to calculate a timing offset based on the instantaneous channel estimate.

An apparatus for time tracking synchronization in an orthogonal frequency-division multiplex (OFDM) system, the apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving at least one time-division multiplexed (TDM) pilot symbol comprising a plurality of modulated sub-carriers that are configured to provide a channel estimate having a length that extends up to a duration of an FFT used for data transmission;
• means for determining an instantaneous channel estimate from the plurality of modulated sub-carriers;
• and
• means for calculating a timing offset based on the instantaneous channel estimate.

A computer program product for time tracking synchronization in an orthogonal frequency-division multiplex (OFDM) system, comprising:

• a computer-readable medium comprising:
• a first set of codes for causing a computer to receive at least one time-division multiplexed (TDM) pilot symbol comprising a plurality of modulated sub-carriers that are configured to provide a channel estimate having a length that extends up to a duration of an FFT used for data transmission;
• a second set of codes for causing the computer to determine an instantaneous channel estimate from the plurality of modulated sub-carriers;
• and
• a third set of codes for causing the computer to calculate a timing offset based on the instantaneous channel estimate.

At least one processor configured to perform a method for time tracking synchronization in an orthogonal frequency-division multiplex (OFDM) system, the at least one processor comprising:

• a first module for receiving at least one time-division multiplexed (TDM) pilot symbol comprising a plurality of modulated sub-carriers that are configured to provide a channel estimate having a length that extends up to a duration of an FFT used for data transmission;
• a second module for determining an instantaneous channel estimate from the plurality of modulated sub-carriers;
• and
• a third module for calculating a timing offset based on the instantaneous channel estimate.