A novel fine frequency synchronization technique for OFDM wireless systems

A novel frequency tracking algorithm for OFDM systems based on pilot symbol tracking has been developed. This algorithm significantly reduces the complexity of traditional OFDM receivers by eliminating the need to have two separate algorithms for coarse frequency estimation (pre FFT synchronization) and fine frequency tracking (post FFT synchronization). The proposed algorithm updates the frequency estimate at every sample of the input signal compared to frequency update available only at OFDM symbol rate by the traditional algorithms. This feature allows compensation of rapid frequency variations in the input signal (due to cheaper RF front ends).