Frequency estimation based on iterated autocorrelation function

An exclusive time-domain solution has been suggested for estimating the frequency of a single-frequency sinusoid embedded in broad-band noise. The coherent component, viz. the sinusoid is enhanced by repeated or iterated autocorrelation. It is shown that substantial savings in computation can be obtained by coarse quantization of the sequences and then performing the autocorrelations, and that this causes relatively insignificant loss of the usable input SNR range. Various quantization schemes are suggested and the resulting tradeoffs are discussed. Results of a detailed computer simulation experiment conducted to study the performance of the schemes are also given.