Non-data-aided frequency-offset and channel estimation in OFDM and related block transmissions

The many advantages responsible for the widespread application of OFDM are primarily limited by its sensitivity to carrier frequency offsets. Most of the literature dealing with this problem focuses on data-aided frequency offset estimation only. In this contribution, several non-data-aided frequency-offset and channel estimation schemes are developed for OFDM transmissions over frequency-selective channels. Timing offset is also accounted for because it is incorporated as a pure delay in the unknown channel. The resulting blind estimation methods include subspace based deterministic or statistical algorithms. Simulations illustrate performance tradeoffs of these schemes.