Synchronization of a pilot assisted channel estimation orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system

A method of synchronization for use in a pilot assisted channel estimation orthogonal frequency multiplexing system, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a signal containing pilot symbols;
• setting time and frequency parameters as a function of the signal so as to provide an initial time and frequency synchronization;
• phase rotating the signal across time;
• transforming the phase rotated signal with a fast Fourier transformation;
• phase rotating the transformed signal across frequency;
• and
• extracting the pilot symbols and generating a channel estimate from the signal after the signal has been phase rotated across frequency,
• wherein the phase rotating across time and the phase rotating across frequency are controlled as a function of the channel estimate.

A pilot assisted channel estimation orthogonal frequency multiplexing system comprising:

• initial synchronization means for initial time and frequency setting time and frequency parameters of the system as a function of a received signal containing pilot symbols;
• fast Fourier transform means for fast Fourier transforming the received signal;
• extracting and estimating means for extracting pilots and providing a channel estimate;
• controlling means for controlling a first and second phase rotations according to the channel estimate,
• wherein the first phase rotation rotates an output of the initial synchronization means for output to the fast Fourier transform means;
• and
• the second phase rotation rotates an output of the fast Fourier transform means for output to the extracting and estimating means and a receiver means for receiving the received signal.

A computer program in a computer readable medium for causing a processor executing the program to synchronize the sub-components of a received signal to each other, the program comprising:

• a module for initially synchronizing a signal containing pilot symbols so as to provide an initial time and frequency synchronization;
• a module for phase rotating the signal across time;
• a module for transforming the phase rotated signal with a fast Fourier transformation;
• a module for phase rotating the transformed signal across frequency;
• and
• a module for extracting the pilot symbols and generating a channel estimate from the signal after the signal has been phase rotated across frequency,
• wherein the module for phase rotating across time and the module for phase rotating across frequency are responsive to the module for extracting the pilot symbols and generating the channel estimate.