Performance improvement of the segment sync-based spectrum sensing for ATSC TV signal

An improved spectrum sensing algorithm based on the segment SYNC is proposed for ATSC DTV signal. The algorithm does not only use the repetition of the SYNC symbols but also utilizes their pattern (+, -, -, +). The performance gain of the proposed algorithm over the conventional one is analyzed in an ideal condition where there is no multi-path interference or any nonlinear distortion. The gain is shown to increase as the operating SNR decreases. Also, the computer simulations performed with the real DTV signal capture files are presented to evaluate the performance of the new algorithm in practice. The performance gain is highly dependent on signal capture files. The proposed algorithm is verified to usually have improved sensing performance with some exceptions, where the captured signals have abnormally bad signal qualities.