Method and apparatus for estimating a frequency offset by combining pilot symbols and data symbols

Abstract

A method and apparatus estimate an offset between a carrier frequency of a transmitter and a local reference frequency of a receiver. A received signal is separated into frequency synchronization signals and data, and a determination is made whether the frequency synchronization signals are adequate for estimating the frequency offset. This determination may be made based on, e.g., an estimated Doppler spread, an estimated signal to noise ratio, and/or an available amount of frequency offset estimation time. The frequency offset is estimated based on the determination results. If the frequency synchronization signals are adequate for estimating the frequency offset, the frequency synchronization signals are used for determining the frequency offset. Otherwise, the rate of the frequency synchronization signals is increased, e.g., by using the data as frequency synchronization signals, in which case the data is combined with the frequency synchronization signals to determine the frequency offset.

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