Noncoherent Frame Synchronization

One of the key operations in communication systems is frame synchronization, which is similar in many aspects to code acquisition in the context of code division multiple access systems. We focus on frame synchronization for binary PSK signals in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise and phase offset due to imperfect carrier phase estimation. We derive optimum and low-complexity suboptimum synchronization techniques, showing large improvements with respect to frame synchronization based on noncoherent correlation. Extensions to higher order modulations and fading channels are also discussed.