Timing Offset Compensation in Fast-Convolution Filter Bank Based Waveform Processing

Fast convolution processing has recently been proposed as an efficient means for implementing filter bank multicarrier systems with good spectral containment and high flexibility in tuning the subchannel bandwidths and center frequencies. These features make fast convolution filter banks (FC-FBs) a particularly interesting choice for multicarrier transmission in challenging radio scenarios like dynamic spectrum access, cognitive radio, and fragmented spectrum use. The FC-FB approach supports also non-synchronized operation of different users, with high spectral efficiency, which is also a highly desirable feature in the considered scenarios. In this paper we explore the possibilities of compensating timing offsets in FC-FB processing by adjusting the FFT-domain weights. It is demonstrated that arbitrary fractional timing offsets can be handled with low complexity and without significant loss in system performance.