Design of an efficient uplink time alignment module for Long Term Evolution

This paper deals with architectural and practical design aspects to estimate the frame misalignment of LTE uplink transmissions on field programmable gate array devices. Timing adjustments are calculated and delivered to the User Equipment in conformance to Long Term Evolution specifications. Performance results as well as amount of resources necessary for the implementation of the proposed method are assessed. Moreover, the issue regarding the resulting digital circuitry is also considered. Results indicate that the proposed architecture is capable of calculating timing adjustments for SNR as low as -10dB with no constraints on the number of users multiplexed within a time transmission interval.