Timing-offset estimation in modulated signals using weighted correlation values

Abstract

In one embodiment, a timing-offset estimator calculates a correlation value for each sample of an OFDM signal having a cyclic prefix for each OFDM symbol. The correlation value is provided to a tapped delay line that applies a separate weight to each of 2V correlation values, where V is the length of the cyclic prefix and the weights are based on a triangular weighting scheme that increases linearly from the first value, peaks at the Vvalue, and decreases linearly to the 2Vvalue. A stream of combined, squared correlation values is generated by combining and squaring the 2V weighted correlation values for each sample of the OFDM signal. For each cyclic prefix of the OFDM signal, a timing-offset estimate is determined based on a detected peak value in the stream of combined, squared correlation values. A timing-offset estimator with triangular weighting scheme may be implemented using recursive processing.