New Blind Block Synchronization for Transceivers Using Redundant Precoders

This paper studies the blind block synchronization problem in block transmission systems using linear redundant precoders (LRP). Two commonly used LRP systems, namely, zero padding (ZP) and cyclic prefix (CP) systems, are considered in this paper. In particular, the block synchronization problem in CP systems is a broader version of timing synchronization problem in the popular orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. The proposed algorithms exploit the rank deficiency property of the matrix composed of received blocks when the block synchronization is perfect and use a parameter called repetition index which can be chosen as any positive integer. Theoretical results suggest advantages in blind block synchronization performances when using a large repetition index. Furthermore, unlike previously reported algorithms, which require a large amount of received data, the proposed methods, with properly chosen repetition indices, guarantee correct block synchronization in absence of noise using only two received blocks in ZP systems and three in CP systems. Computer simulations are conducted to evaluate the performances of the proposed algorithms and compare them with previously reported algorithms. Simulation results not only verify the capability of the proposed algorithms to work with limited received data but also show significant improvements in the block synchronization error rate performance of the proposed algorithms over previously reported algorithms.