Synchronization and cell-search technique using preamble for OFDM cellular systems

In this paper, a novel preamble structure, including a synchronization field (S-field) and a cell-search field (C-field), is proposed for orthogonal-frequency-division-multiplexing-based cellular systems. An efficient algorithm for downlink synchronization and cell search using the preamble is also proposed. The synchronization and cell-search process includes the initial symbol-timing estimation using continuously or, at least, periodically transmitted downlink signal, the frame detection, the fine symbol-timing estimation, the frequency-offset estimation using the preamble S-field, and the cell identification using the preamble C-field. Performance of each synchronization and cell-search step is analyzed and verified by computer simulation. The overall performance of the synchronization and cell search is then analyzed in terms of the mean acquisition time. It is shown that the proposed preamble with the corresponding synchronization and cell-search algorithm can provide a very robust synchronization and cell-search capability, even in bad cellular environments. Index Terms--Cell search, cellular, orthogonal-frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), preamble, synchronization.