Frequency-domain processing for synchronization and channel estimation in OQAM-OFDM systems

In this work the design of a frequency-domain synchronization and channel estimation scheme for OQAM-OFDM systems is presented and evaluated. The need for signal processing schemes for wireless communication systems, that are processed solely in the frequency domain results from the desire to build frequency-agile radios. Driven by the transition from exclusive spectrum resource allocation towards a dynamic usage of the spectrum a non-contiguous spectrum utilization in fragmented spectrum is needed. Well-known time-domain algorithms severely suffer from encapsulated spectral components not belonging to the non-contiguous OQAM-OFDM waveform. We show that frequency-domain processing can achieve similar system performance as comparable time-domain methods over a wide range of frequency offsets while offering a new degree of freedom in preamble design for FBMC systems.