Fast acquisition of carrier and timing in low SNR and fading using diversity antennas

The deep fades and rapid phase changes in mobile channels make estimation of carrier frequency and symbol timing quite difficult. This paper presents and analyses a maximum likelihood method for acquisition of these quantities in low SNR, and shows how diversity signals can be exploited to reduce the required time. In consequence, the acquisition time can be as short as 3 or 4 symbols. A primary application is the reverse channel in a PCS or paging system