A new ML-based data-aided feedforward symbol synchronizer for burst-mode transmission

A data-aided (DA) feedforward symbol synchronizer based upon the maximum-likelihood (ML) criterion is proposed. The algorithm is carrier-phase independent and is designed for operation in burst-mode, narrow-band communication systems employing linear modulation. The accuracy of the proposed algorithm is assessed by simulation using QPSK signaling. The results show that the performance of the proposed synchronizer is very close to the theoretical minimum limit (variance of the estimates near the Cramer-Rao lower bound) and is also significantly better than that of other popular circuits such as the square-law synchronizer