A synchronization algorithm to facilitate joint detection

This paper addresses the problem of synchronization when performing joint detection in a quasi-static flat-fading channel with Additive White Gaussian noise (AWGN). Conventional detectors avoid performing joint detection due to the computational complexity involved in both synchronizing and then decoding two signals simultaneously. This paper proposes a system that detects the presence of interference during the decoding of a primary signal and determines the point in time where the interference begins. A genetic algorithm that continues decoding the primary signal while performing frequency and channel synchronization on the interferer is presented. Once synchronization is completed, a detection algorithm that allows the simultaneous decoding of the primary signal and the synchronized interferer is implemented. It is demonstrated by simulation that the span of 12 symbols, the length of an 802.11 training sequence, is sufficient for effective synchronization and joint detection. The deficiencies of the system and potential avenues for improvement in future work are explored.