Internal model control for a self-tuning Delay-Locked Loop in UWB communication systems

Timing synchronization represents a major challenge in carrying out highly efficient ultra-wideband (UWB) communications. The Delay-Locked Loop (DLL) method is widely proposed to maintain the satisfactory synchronization and reduce timing error. In this paper, we modify the structure of DLL, using a novel control strategy in the communication systems, called Internal Model Control (IMC), which is composed of an inverse model (control model) connected in series with the DLL system and a forward model (system model) connected in parallel with the DLL system, this structure has a good performance of overcoming disturbance and deviations of model parameters. Next, we apply the Least-Squares (LS) estimation algorithm method in order to determine the optimal coefficients for the system and control models. Simulation results confirm that the timing estimation performance is improved by using the proposed DLL scheme.